Browse Data and Analysis

Germany is a member of the European Union (EU) and generally follows EU directives and regulations, including those relating to the importation of food products.

On April 2, 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s State Veterinary Office introduced precautionary measures to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease by requiring FMD-free certification for imported live cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, and establishing disinfection barriers at border crossings.

After several years of dynamic growth, expansion in Austria’s organic market is slowing down. Organic sales increased slightly by quantity and stagnated by value in the first half of 2024.

On January 10, 2025, the German Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI) confirmed a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) case on a water buffalo farm in Brandenburg.

This report outlines specific requirements for food and agricultural product imports into Austria. As a member of the European Union, Austria follows EU directives and regulations.

Austria as a member of the European Union (EU), applies EU regulations to the imports of agricultural products. U.S. export certification requirements for most products destined for the EU are harmonized.

After organic sales declined in 2022, demand began to recover in 2023 and is estimated to continue to have grown moderately in 2024, largely due to decreasing inflation and increasing availability of low-cost store brands.

With more than 84 million of the world’s wealthiest consumers, Germany is the largest market for food and agricultural products in the European Union. The German market offers good opportunities for U.S. exporters of consumer-oriented food and...

Austria continues to be one of the leading forces in Europe opposed to the use of agricultural biotechnology. Anti-biotech NGOs, who have a strong influence on Austrian consumers, farmer organizations, the food-processing sector, and the retail sector all campaign against genetically engineered agricultural and food products.

Genetically-engineered (GE) products are highly politicized in Germany. As the EU takes gradual steps towards potentially liberalizing NGTs, German public debate is beginning to shift from a general rejection of GE towards discussion regarding possible liberalization of New Genomic Techniques (NGTs).

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) 2009 “Law on Genetically Modified Organisms” (GMOs) and associated bylaws authorize the import of genetically engineered (GE) products. To date, the only GE product approved for import is soybean meal for feed.

Germany is the largest market for food and beverages in the European Union importing USD 69 billion worth of consumer-oriented agricultural products in 2023. The food retail sector is saturated, highly consolidated, and competitive.