Grapes market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

German grape production began the period at 1 404 thousand tons in 2018 but fell sharply to 1 125 thousand tons in 2019. Early indications of climate change affecting viticulture were noted around this time. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 altered consumer behavior, accelerating e‑commerce and boosting interest in sustainable wines, which contributed to a market recovery to 1 539 thousand tons.

Post‑pandemic trends continued to influence the market, with rising demand for alcohol‑free and reduced‑alcohol wines reflecting health‑consciousness. Consumer preferences also shifted toward dry wines such as Riesling and Spätburgunder, and winemaking cooperatives gained popularity. These factors supported production, which reached 1 223 thousand tons in 2022.

Extreme weather events, including late frosts and drought, severely reduced grape yields in 2023, with some regions like Ahr experiencing harvest drops of up to 64%. The EU agricultural reserve provided €46.5 million to support affected growers. Concurrently, new product segments like wine‑based mixed drinks and alcohol‑free alternatives entered the market, sustainable packaging gained traction, and data‑driven marketing tools saw wider adoption. For 2024, industry reports indicated a below‑average grape must harvest and a continued decline in per‑capita wine consumption, while sales of non‑alcoholic wines surged by 86%.

Production grapes in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked 16th globally in grape production.

Top producers of grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of grapes, 2017-2020

In 2020, Germany produced 1 150 K t of grapes, marking a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 404 K t, with a significant increase of 38.4% that year. However, in 2019, production experienced its largest decline, dropping by 19.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of grape production in Germany reached 3 041 M $ US, showing a moderate year-over-year increase of 9.1%. From 2017 to 2020, the production value rose by 34.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 10.4%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 3 538 M $ US, with a substantial increase of 56.6% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with the value falling by 21.2%.

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

Exports grapes from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, grape exports from Germany rebounded in 2020, totaling 38.9 K t, which represents a 5.4% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 36.9 K t, with the largest drop of 8.5% occurring that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Poland, and Czechia were the three main markets for German grape exports in kind, collectively accounting for 57.9% of the total.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's grape exports in value terms amounted to 102.9 M $ US, reflecting a 12.5% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 7.7%, with an average annual rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 91.4 M $ US, when exports saw their largest decline of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Poland, and Czechia were the primary buyers of German grapes in value terms, accounting for 26.7%, 15.9%, and 12.4% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 55.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports grapes to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany imported 428.6 K t of grapes, indicating a controlled rise of 8.7% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 3.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 394.4 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 5.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, South Africa, and Turkey were the principal sources for grape imports in kind to Germany, contributing 29.9%, 17.0%, and 10.5% of imports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 57.4% of total import volume.

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, M $ US

Germany's grape imports in value terms reached 972.9 M $ US in 2020, showing a robust year-over-year increase of 14.1%. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 12.3%, with an average annual rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 852.8 M $ US, when imports experienced their largest decline of 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, South Africa, and Turkey continued to lead as the top suppliers of grapes to Germany in value terms, accounting for 27.1%, 20.0%, and 8.3% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 55.5% of total import value.

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

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