The food industry in Germany's "True North"

Key sectors in Schleswig-Holstein include the fish, dairy and confectionery industries, each fuelling the region's strong, export-driven economy. Over half of the sweets produced here are exported, underscoring the global reach of Schleswig-Holstein’s food sector. The industry is a unique blend of tradition and innovation, where companies consistently create new, high-quality products in response to evolving market demands. North Germany’s food industry thrives on a foundation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Alongside a few large companies, numerous SMEs operate successfully across the value chain, contributing to the sector’s dynamism and resilience. In addition, Schleswig-Holstein’s food sector benefits from close connections to other industries, including mechanical...

Professional networks like foodRegio e.V. in Lübeck and the Competence Network for the Food Industry in Kiel actively promote knowledge exchange and foster collaboration across the food industry. In this way, they create valuable opportunities for companies and investors looking to do business in Schleswig-Holstein. foodRegio, an initiative led by businesses and food science institutions in Northern Germany, has a strong focus on the Lübeck region. Founded in 2005, foodRegio represents more than 35,000 employees across 89 member companies and institutions, spanning all five North German states. Its clear mission is to establish North Germany as a central hub in the global food economy, driving growth and innovation throughout the region’s food sector. For foreign direct investment,...

Schleswig-Holstein is dedicated to shaping the future of the food industry by nurturing the next generation of talent. With nearly 3,000 students and around 6,000 apprentices currently pursuing careers in this sector, our region ensures a continuous flow of skilled professionals. The werde-foodstarter.de initiative plays a key role in these efforts by promoting training opportunities and preparing the food production specialists for tomorrow's world. For companies looking to stay ahead of the field, foodRegio offers specialised training programs that are open to all businesses in the North German food industry, regardless of whether they are member of the network or not. This ensures broad access to the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the evolving food sector. In...

Schleswig-Holstein is a dynamic and forward-thinking region, setting the standard in research and development within the food industry. With cutting-edge institutions like the Centre for Analytical Technology Transfer in Biotechnology and Food Innovation (ZAiT) at Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, the Dairy Competence Centre at Kiel University and the Fraunhofer Institute for Marine Biotechnology and Cell Technology (IMTE) in Lübeck, our region offers a thriving innovation ecosystem. These world-class institutions drive breakthroughs in everything from sensory analysis of food products to sustainable food production through biotechnology. They ensure that Schleswig-Holstein stays at the forefront of the food sector, making it an ideal destination for companies looking to innovate...