voluntary report public distribution date 10 7 2003 gain number gm3039 germany exporter guide road map to the german market approved by karina ramos us embassy prepared christel e wagner dietmar achilles highlights with its 82 5 million people has world s 4th largest economy after japan and china is leading for food beverages in european union fastest growing component of agricultural imports from united states consumer oriented products 2002 amounted 634 slightly more than 539 imported 2001 increase occurred mainly fish includes psd changes no trade matrix unscheduled berlin gm1 gm section i overview macro economic situation since mid 1990s slowed down grew only 0 2 percent expected end