Positive start for the food industry in the first quarter of 2004

The positive trends of 2003 continued in the first quarter of 2004 for the food industry. According to the Federal Association of the German Food Industry (BVE), the industry increased its sales by a nominal 3% to EUR 31,2 billion. A clear upward signal emanates from domestic sales in particular, which increased significantly by 2,1% to EUR 25,0 billion. The export of German food and beverages increased by 6,9% to 6,2 billion euros. Foreign business thus remains the economic engine for the food industry and, with a 20% share of total sales, has long been the industry's second important pillar. Arithmetically, every fifth job in the food industry depends on exports.

However, the number of jobs in the food industry continues to decrease. In the first quarter of 2004 it fell by 1,1%. The end of the rationalization - also against the background of increased competition due to the eastward expansion of the EU - has not yet been reached.

With regard to consumer prices, the food industry has again taken it easy on consumers. At +0,5%, the price increase was only half as high as the increase in the consumer price index as a whole.

A data sheet "The German food industry at a glance: 1st quarter 2004" is available here as [PDF document] ready for you to download.

Source: Bonn [bve]