Four facts pro agricultural products and food from Germany

Fact 2: German virtues

In addition to its positive image worldwide, the German agricultural and food industry is also known for the values and virtues incorporated by its companies: Diligence, punctuality and entrepreneurship combined with the use of high-tech in the stable, in the field and in food processing are well received by customers and importers abroad.

In addition, corporate social responsibility factors such as a low carbon footprint, resource conservation, environmental and animal protection, regionality and employee participation are integral parts of the production process.

Our predominantly small and medium-sized companies also invest in innovative future technologies. This is very successful: according to the Association of Family Entrepreneurs in Germany, almost half of all family-run global market leaders come from Germany.

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In 2018, the preliminary inputs and investments of agriculture amounted to 43.1 billion euros, the production value of agriculture to 59 billion euros and the turnover of the food industry to 180 billion euros. Exports from the agriculture and food industry amounted to 72 billion euros, more than a third of the total value (source: Federal Statistical Office/BMEL/ German Farmers' Association). For the year 2019, previous figures indicate an increase in exports in this sector of 2.3 percent (source: AMI, as of 12 March 2020).

The most important sales markets for German agricultural exports in 2019 were the EU followed by China, Switzerland and the USA (source: AMI, as of 12.03.2020).