Active yeasts market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for active yeasts in Germany saw a decline in physical volume from 163.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 152.7 thousand tons in 2024, while its monetary value increased from 157.2 million USD to 218.5 million USD over the same period, indicating a shift toward higher-value products.

A key industry move in 2020 was the Lesaffre Group's acquisition of a majority stake in Inner Mongolia Biohymn Biotechnology, which reinforced global consolidation and likely facilitated the flow of innovation to the German market. In the following years, the global yeast sector focused on research and development for specialized products like gluten-free and non-GMO yeasts, responding to rising consumer preference for natural and health-conscious ingredients.

By 2024, these innovations, including advances in yeast management and activation processes, supported better product quality and manufacturing efficiency. Together with a sustained health and wellness trend among German consumers, this drove a substantial increase in market value despite a modest contraction in physical consumption volumes.

Production active yeasts in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's active yeast production reached a value of 170.7 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 5.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 161.2 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 3.7% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 180.8 thousand tonnes of active yeast, showing a modest year-over-year decline of 6.6%. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The peak production was in 2018 at 193.6 thousand tonnes, when the largest increase of 0.9% was also recorded.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports active yeasts from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's active yeast exports declined for the second consecutive year, reaching 62 022 tonnes in 2020, which represents a 14.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 73 730 tonnes, when the largest increase of 2.9% occurred.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and France were the primary markets for Germany's active yeast exports by volume, accounting for 22.0%, 19.7%, and 13.8% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 55.5% of all export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's active yeast exports were valued at 69 534 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate 5.6% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's active yeast exports by value were distributed across a wide range of markets. Poland, Austria, and France were the top destinations, accounting for 12.1%, 11.6%, and 11.0% of total export value, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 34.6% of exports, while numerous smaller markets contributed the remaining 65.4%.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports active yeasts to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's active yeast imports totaled 39 555 tonnes in 2020, up 9.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 12.2%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 43 229 tonnes, with the largest decline of 16.3% occurring in 2019 and the largest increase of 22.7% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France, Belgium, and Poland were the leading suppliers of active yeast to Germany by volume, representing 45.7%, 20.6%, and 8.6% of total imports, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 74.8% of all import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's active yeast imports reached a value of 61 777 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 25.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 28.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France, Belgium, and Poland dominated Germany's active yeast imports by value, accounting for 31.7%, 14.1%, and 9.7% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three suppliers represented 55.5% of all import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020