Vinegar market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The vinegar market in Germany showed contrasting trends in volume and value from 2018 to 2024. Physical consumption decreased from 210.8 million liters in 2018 to 170.2 million liters in 2023, before recovering to 184.9 million liters in 2024. In value terms, the market fluctuated, reaching a peak of 206.2 million USD in 2021 and settling at 174.0 million USD in 2024.

Market value growth in 2020 and 2021 was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted consumption to households and accelerated online sales. During this time, major manufacturers like Hengstenberg launched new products such as cherry vinegar with chili, catering to growing demand for specialty and flavored vinegars. Consumer trends toward natural, organic, and functional products also supported higher price points and premium segments.

After 2021, market value contracted despite ongoing innovation, including the introduction of Mediterranean-flavored organic balsamic vinegars in 2022. The decline moderated in 2024, with volume rising to 184.9 million liters and value increasing to 174.0 million USD.

Production vinegar in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, vinegar production was valued at 148.6 million US dollars in 2020, representing a 16.4% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 19.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Germany's vinegar production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 199.7 million liters of vinegar, marking a slight decrease of 1.2% compared to the previous year. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 211.2 million liters. The largest decline was observed in 2019, with a 4.3% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 5.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports vinegar from Germany

Exports in kind, K l

After a two-year decline, vinegar exports from Germany increased in 2020. Exports totaled 64 318 thousand liters, up by 19.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 54 036 thousand liters, which also saw the largest decline of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland formed the core group of markets for Germany's vinegar exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 21.8% of exports, France for 15.6%, and Switzerland for 14.0%. Together, these three countries represented 51.5% of total 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

Germany exported vinegar worth 40 388 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a 15.0% increase relative to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms grew by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 35 112 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 7.0%.

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

The data for 2017 to 2020 indicate that Germany's vinegar exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Switzerland accounted for 13.9% of exports, the Netherlands for 11.5%, and France for 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 36.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports vinegar to Germany

Imports in kind, K l

Vinegar imports into Germany increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 63 002 thousand liters, indicating a notable gain of 11.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 9.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 55 816 thousand liters, which also saw the largest decline of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Austria, and the Netherlands made the biggest contribution to Germany's vinegar imports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 50.3% of imports, Austria for 12.1%, and the Netherlands for 11.8%. Together, these three countries represented 74.2% of total 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

Germany imported vinegar worth approximately 88 448 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a robust rise of 11.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports in value terms increased by 16.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.5% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a 14.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy remained the main source for vinegar imports into Germany, accounting for 72.2% of total imports in value terms. The remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

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