Agriculture in Germany

Agriculture in Germany Enlarge image Agriculture in Germany (© DPA) The German farming industry has many different sides: committed farmers produce healthy, diverse foods and manage a rich cultivated landscape between dykes and the Alps, between the Hohes Venn and Oderbruch (Oder swamp). In the face of a growing global population and the limited sources of fossil fuels, food supply and energy recovery from renewable resources take on increasing importance. 

The German farming industry is a modern economic sector which, at the same time, is aware of its traditions. Around 1.25 million part-time or full-time workers produce goods worth approximately Euro 40 billion on 370,000 farms.

Furthermore, the farming industry provides additional services for society, nature and the environment. Nonetheless, liberalisation and technical progress exert considerable pressure on the farming industry. It must constantly adapt to changing framework conditions and, in this way, secure jobs and value-added in rural areas.

More information about agriculture in Germany.

German shrimp cutter

Aquatic genetic resources

The aquatic genetic resources comprise all water-dwelling genetic resources. Within the scope of this technical programme, the aquatic genetic resources are first confined to fish, cyclostomes, mussels and decapods as well as their spawning and larval stages. The following document includes for instance the structure of german fisheries sector, the importance, vulnerability and use of aquatic genetic resources and the current conservation and support schemes.

Agriculture in Germany

Agriculture in Germany

German forests

German forest

One third of Germany covered with forests. Germany ranks among the densely wooded countries in Europe. Around 11 million hectares corresponding to one third of the national territory are covered with forests. In regional terms, the proportion of woodland cover varies widely, ranging from 10 percent in Schleswig-Holstein to over 40 percent in Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse, the most thickly wooded Länder (federal states).

Horticulture in Germany

Horticulture in Germany

In economic terms, commercial horticulture is part of agriculture, so-called original production. Horticultural services are characterized by the annually determined value of both horticultural and fruit production and horticultural services rendered. For agriculture, a provisional production value of € 42,85 billion was determined in 2009.