THE GERMAN MARKET FOR HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS FROM AFRICAN COUNTRIES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO WEST AFRICA

W. Mante
The Federal Republic of Germany is not only a considerable fruit and vegetable producer, but also the most significant importing country of Europe and - for citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions and grapes - of the world. After the second world war this trend increased considerably. The average annual growth rates for most products, especially vegetables are around 5 per cent. Canned products and juices have expanded even more.

An analysis of commodity structure and trends in German imports is followed by a discussion on the extent to which Africa avails herself of the opportunities for fresh and processed products on the German market. West Africa's shares in African exports to Germany are hardly 10 per cent for fruit and under one per cent for vegetables. However, since 1967 numerous activities in horticultural exports, including exports of some cut flowers and ornamental plants have been developed.

Africa supplies the Federal Republic of Germany with approximately 75 per cent of all fresh imports of tropical and sub-tropical fruit (except bananas), e.g. more than 50 per cent of coconuts and cashews, 43% of canned pineapples and still over 20% of canned apricots. Also during the winter onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers and asparagus are imported from Africa.

Mante, W. (1977). THE GERMAN MARKET FOR HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS FROM AFRICAN COUNTRIES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO WEST AFRICA. Acta Hortic. 53, 89-98
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1977.53.11
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1977.53.11

Acta Horticulturae