Food supplements in Germany - statistics & facts
The food supplements market in Germany is booming. Production volume has only increased in recent years, amounting to almost 206,000 tons in 2022. Consumers seek to support their desire for good health with vitamins and minerals in other forms than food. Whether this is based on personal research or medical advice varies, but scientific research on food supplements themselves is still inconclusive in many areas, especially considering the number of new products appearing on the market and the ease with which they can be accessed.
Types of food supplements include vitamins, minerals, proteins, herbal products, as well as both plant-based and animal-origin supplements (such as various oils). Consumption frequency varies, though the majority of respondents, over 12.3 million in 2022, did so once a day. Around 4.86 million respondents took vitamins two to three times a week.
Food supplements generally do not need a doctor's prescription to be bought and are available not just in pharmacies, but also in drugstores and supermarkets, not to mention online. The convenience of taking a pill or drinking a small bottle is definitely one of the appeals for customers leading an increasingly mobile life. As far as sales of vitamins in Germany were concerned, vitamin C was the undisputed leader. Around 32.8 million packaging units were sold in 2021/2022. Colder and sometimes darker German winters, alongside the emergence of the COVID-19 virus and other ongoing respiratory infections undoubtedly contribute to one of the most famous vitamins for strengthening the human immune system from within. Speaking of colder and darker winters, a widespread argument for buying vitamin D supplements is the expected lack of sunshine during the season.
Types of food supplements include vitamins, minerals, proteins, herbal products, as well as both plant-based and animal-origin supplements (such as various oils). Consumption frequency varies, though the majority of respondents, over 12.3 million in 2022, did so once a day. Around 4.86 million respondents took vitamins two to three times a week.
Food supplements generally do not need a doctor's prescription to be bought and are available not just in pharmacies, but also in drugstores and supermarkets, not to mention online. The convenience of taking a pill or drinking a small bottle is definitely one of the appeals for customers leading an increasingly mobile life. As far as sales of vitamins in Germany were concerned, vitamin C was the undisputed leader. Around 32.8 million packaging units were sold in 2021/2022. Colder and sometimes darker German winters, alongside the emergence of the COVID-19 virus and other ongoing respiratory infections undoubtedly contribute to one of the most famous vitamins for strengthening the human immune system from within. Speaking of colder and darker winters, a widespread argument for buying vitamin D supplements is the expected lack of sunshine during the season.
