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Germany is one of the largest markets for fruit in Europe. The relative affluence of its population of 83 million people makes it an attractive outlet for exporters from many countries. This product brief highlights certain aspects of the German fresh fruit market and provides marketing, trade, and regulatory information for U.S. exporters.

Chilean area planted with cherries is growing consistently and will reach 52,000 hectares in marketing year (MY) 2022/23. Post projects that, due to favorable climatic conditions and abundant rainfall, MY 2022/23 cherry yields will increase. For MY...

Raisin production in Chile relies almost exclusively on table grape production. For marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Post projects 61,850 metric tons (MT) of raisin production, a 1.5 percent decrease from MY 2021/22. Raisin exports will total 59,000 MT, a 1.7 percent decrease from MY 2021/22.

Despite the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, retail sales revenues in Germany have grown continuously since 2019. In 2021, the German retail sector recorded over $618 billion euros in sales revenues. Retailers benefitted from higher consumer spending for premium food products, while food service businesses suffered from low hospitality and catering demand during the series of lockdowns put in place.

In 2021, Chile maintained its position as the top market for U.S. consumer-oriented products in South America, followed by Colombia and Peru. The United States held 14 percent of Chilean market share of consumer-oriented products, shipping $886.4 million.

Salmon is Chile’s largest food and agricultural export and the second largest total export sector after copper. In 2021, exports totaled 615 thousand metric tons worth $4.8 billion. Production is growing rapidly; Chilean salmon production grew an average of 10.4 percent between 2016 and 2020 and totaled 1.1 million metric tons (MMT) in 2020.

Citrus production in Chile increased the past ten marketing years. Lemons and mandarins became a profitable alternative to table grape and avocado producers in the regions of Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Metropolitana and O’Higgins. Production of oranges remains relevant, but area planted has not increased as with lemons and mandarins.

Germany, the largest economy in the European Union, is a large and promising pet food market. Imports of pet food account for more than half of the total market. While the market is mature and somewhat saturated, it is steadily growing.

In MY2021/22, Post projects that table grape production will increase by 15.2 percent, totaling 760,000 MT and exports will increase by 14.2 percent, totaling 600,000 metric tons. For MY2021/22, Post estimates apple production at 1,036,000 MT a 4.8 percent decrease from MY2020/21 on lower planted area.

Post forecasts increases in wheat and corn production for the 2022/23 marketing year.

Chile remains the largest South American consumer-oriented market for U.S. exporters. Increasing wealth, lower barriers to entry, and the modern Chilean economy present opportunities for increased agricultural trade as COVID-19 restrictions and social-political tensions ease.

Germany is an important fish and seafood market for U.S. in Europe exporters. The growing demand for high-quality fish and seafood offers opportunities for U.S. suppliers especially with the partial resumption of shellfish trade in 2022.