Market
Shelled almonds in Germany are a predominantly import-supplied tree-nut commodity used in retail nut/snack packs and as an ingredient for bakery and confectionery manufacturing. UN Comtrade data (via World Bank WITS) indicates Germany imported about USD 478 million and 98.9 thousand tonnes of shelled almonds (HS 080212) in 2023, with the United States and Spain as the two largest origins. Germany also redistributes part of this volume within the EU, with notable onward trade to partners such as France, Spain and Italy. Market access and continuity depend heavily on EU contaminant and residue compliance (notably aflatoxins) and on meeting border/document requirements for specific regimes such as organic imports.
Market RoleNet importer and intra-EU distributor (re-exporter)
Domestic RoleImported ingredient and retail nut category for German food manufacturing and consumer retail
Risks
Food Safety HighAflatoxin contamination risk in almond kernels can trigger EU border rejection, intensified official controls, and downstream withdrawal/recall actions in Germany; this is a primary deal-breaker for shipments if limits are exceeded.Require pre-shipment aflatoxin testing by lot, verify compliant sampling/analysis documentation, and use approved suppliers with validated drying/storage controls; maintain rapid traceability to enable holds/withdrawals if needed.
Regulatory Compliance MediumOrganic-labelled almond consignments require an electronic Certificate of Inspection (e-COI) administered through TRACES; missing/incorrect e-COI can block release as organic and delay clearance.Align exporter–control body–importer workflows to issue and complete the TRACES e-COI before arrival; run a pre-arrival document checklist and reconcile lot IDs between e-COI, invoice, packing list and labels.
Documentation Gap MediumMismatch in CN/TARIC classification, origin/preference documentation, or lot identifiers between commercial documents and border filings can cause customs delays and increased inspection risk.Standardize document templates (invoice/packing list/transport docs), lock HS/CN codes early, and match lot/batch IDs consistently across all documents and labels.
Sustainability LowCustomer and stakeholder scrutiny over almond water use (especially for California-origin supply) can create reputational risk and additional buyer requirements in Germany even when legal compliance is met.Collect origin-level sustainability documentation (water stewardship actions, irrigation efficiency, and audit evidence where available) and be prepared to provide buyer questionnaires and claims substantiation.
Sustainability- Water stewardship and drought-risk scrutiny for imported almonds sourced from water-stressed producing regions supplying Germany (notably California and parts of Spain)
- Pollinator and agrochemical-use scrutiny in almond supply chains (supplier assurance and residue compliance expectations)
Labor & Social- Human-rights and certain environment-related due diligence expectations for larger German companies under the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG), which can cascade into supplier audit and documentation requests
Standards- BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety
- FSSC 22000 (GFSI-recognised food safety management scheme)
FAQ
Where does Germany source most of its shelled almond imports from?UN Comtrade data (via World Bank WITS) for 2023 shows the United States and Spain as the two largest origins of Germany’s shelled almond (HS 080212) imports by value and quantity, followed by smaller shares from countries including the Netherlands, Italy and Australia.
What is the biggest compliance risk that can block a shelled almond shipment into Germany?Aflatoxin non-compliance is a major deal-breaker for nuts: EU contaminant maximum levels apply and authorities can perform sampling at entry, leading to rejection or market withdrawal if limits are exceeded. Importers typically mitigate this by requiring lot-based pre-shipment testing and strong drying/storage controls from approved suppliers.
What extra document is required if the almonds are sold as organic in Germany?Organic imports require an electronic Certificate of Inspection (e-COI) administered through the EU’s TRACES system. The European Commission states that without an e-COI, the organic product will not be released from the port of arrival in the EU as organic.