foreign agricultural service gain report global agriculture information network voluntary public distribution date 1 15 2003 gm3004 germany exporter guide road map to the german market approved by karina ramos us embassy prepared christel e wagner dietmar achilles highlights s stagnant economy has affected retail sales including of food products however still represents biggest in europe for consumer oriented foods and beverages consumers spent euro 183 3 billion approx 164 2001 on high share single person households rising number working women led strong growth consumption convenient types such as frozen snacks convenience includes psd changes no trade matrix unscheduled berlin gm1 gm page 17 unclassified usda section i overview macro economic situation with its 82 4 million people world 4th largest after japan mainland china is leading european union since mid 1990s