Ten facts about agriculture

1. Large areas

Half of the area of Germany is used for agricultural purposes. Almost 900,000 people produce goods worth more than 75 billion euros per year.

2. High yield

After World War II, a farmer in Germany was able to feed ten people. Today, thanks to scientific and technological progress, the figure has risen to 139 people.

3. Strong exports

Germany is the world’s fourth largest exporter of agricultural goods. The German agricultural industry exports about one third of its products.

4. High milk production

Germany is the largest milk producer in the European Union. The milk is processed almost exclusively in domestic dairies to make drinking milk, butter, yoghurt, cheese and other dairy products.

5. A lot of grain

Grain is grown on about one third of Germany’s agricultural land. Wheat is by far the leading crop, followed by barley and rye.

6. Less fruit and vegetables

Germany’s agricultural output covers only a third of demand for vegetables, and only one fifth of demand for fruit. For meat, milk, potatoes and sugar, production is greater than demand.

7. Very few greenhouses

Vegetables are traditionally grown in fields or gardens. Only about one per cent of Germany’s vegetable growing areas are covered by greenhouses.

8. 14 per cent organic

More than 14 per cent of all agricultural holdings are dedicated to organic farming. Organic farmers’ output is usually lower, but their revenue is higher.

9. Favourite wine

Germany ranks 13th in the world in terms of wine-growing area and 9th in terms of quantity produced. The most frequently cultivated grape varieties are Riesling (23.6 per cent), Pinot Noir (11.1 per cent) and Müller-Thurgau (10.6 per cent).

10. Sought-after hops

Germany's largest hop-growing region, the Hallertau in Bavaria, accounts for 83 per cent of German and around 27 per cent of global production. Germany is the world’s fifth largest beer producer.