You don't have to be big to succeed at the world's second-largest organic market.

8/27/2026

More Germans have developed a taste for organic products, and Bangs A/S is a good example of how even relatively small Danish companies can succeed in Germany, which is the world's second-largest market for organic products after the USA. Currently, several economists see small signs that Germany's economy is waking up after several years of dormancy, and Danish export companies can use this to maneuver into German store shelves, where private label organic series are growing, according to Dennis Hvam, International Market Manager at Organic Denmark. His optimism is partly based on new figures from the German market and analysis company AMI, which, in collaboration with the German umbrella organization BÖLW, has compiled data on Germany's organic retail sales, which last year reached 136 billion DKK, and growth continues. In the first half of 2026, sales increased by 4.9% compared to the first half of 2025. This means that organic products are currently gaining market share, as the total food market in the same period only grew by 1.4%. According to AMI, the growth is mainly happening in German drugstores and supermarkets with a wide range of organic products. According to AMI, Germany's organic sales alone in the second quarter of 2026 amounted to 35.5 billion DKK, and the seven employees at the office of the Vedbæk-based company Bangs A/S can be pleased that they are capturing a small part of the revenue for Denmark. South of the border, the family company's organic ginger shots have developed into Bangs' most important growth driver, and these small energy boosters have created many loyal customers. Therefore, a lot of German is spoken at the Danish company, which has outsourced its production, which besides organic shots and lemonade also includes the production of conventional jam. "We deliver steady goods to 6-7 countries, but I believe that today we get 60-70% of our revenue from Germany, where our products are some of the few imported shots available in nationwide distribution," says CEO and co-owner Frederik Lehmann to Organic News. Growth continues He recognizes the picture of a growing German organic market and expects the positive development to continue. "There is great potential in Germany, where many consumers are conscious. We are in national distribution with Edeka, which consists of independent grocers just like the Meny chain here at home. Therefore, we have engaged a German consulting firm. They go out to stores to ensure our products are on the shelves and that they remember to reorder," says Frederik Lehmann, who took over as CEO in 2022. After a challenging 2024, exports helped improve the bottom line in the 2025 annual accounts, where Bangs posted a profit of 292,000 DKK, and the CEO expects exports to further lift the bottom line. According to an analysis from the Workers' Movement Business Council (AE), Danish companies and the Danish economy are well prepared for new export adventures. "Danish export companies have proven to be very resilient to the turmoil we see in the world. It is remarkable, and there is no sign of a decline in exports," says Frederik Olsen, analyst at the Workers' Movement Business Council, in a press release. According to AE, exports have been a central driver behind the strong growth in the Danish economy, and exports are expected to continue rising despite international unrest, tariffs, and higher oil prices, according to a new forecast from AE. We need to get right into the machinery room "This is an extremely positive development we see in Germany," says Dennis Hvam, who is convinced that several Danish producers have the potential to follow in Bangs' footsteps if they do the necessary groundwork. Many of Denmark's largest food producers have been active in the German market for many years, but there is room for others besides Arla and Danish Crown, both of which operate their own companies in Germany. "We want to help some small and medium-sized companies get a foothold in the German market, where you need to look very closely at the big nationwide chains that drive organic growth," says Dennis Hvam. These days, he is in Switzerland working on the DACH project, which Organic Denmark is implementing together with Bio Aus Dänemark. It aims to increase Denmark's exports to the foodservice industry in the DACH region, which includes Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but the two partners are also focusing on the Biofach trade fair, where the goal is to have 25 Danish exhibitors in Nuremberg in February 2027. In this context, Dennis Hvam reminds that there are many regional chains in Germany that can be a good starting point. "Our member companies can always get advice about the German market, which is very driven by private label, and we have created a guide that shows the way to the German market," he says. The next step will be an online toolbox with tools for export companies.

Currently, several economists see small signs that Germany's economy is waking up after several years of dormancy, and Danish export companies can use this to maneuver onto German store shelves, where private label organic series are growing, according to Dennis Hvam, International Market Manager at Organic Denmark.

His optimism is partly based on new figures from the German market and analysis company AMI, which in collaboration with the German umbrella organization BÖLW has compiled a report on Germany's organic retail sales, which last year reached 136 billion DKK, and growth continues. In the first half of 2026, sales increased by 4.9% compared to the first half of 2025.

This means that organic products are currently gaining market share, as the total food market in the same period only grew by 1.4%. According to AMI, the growth is mainly in German drugstores and supermarkets with a wide range of organic products.

According to AMI, Germany's organic sales alone in the second quarter of 2026 amounted to 35.5 billion DKK, and the seven employees at the office of the Vedbæk-based company Bangs A/S can be pleased that they are capturing a small part of the turnover for Denmark. South of the border, the family company's organic ginger shots have developed into Bangs' most important growth driver, and these small energy boosters have created many loyal customers.

Therefore, there is quite a bit of German spoken at the Danish company, which has outsourced the production itself, which besides organic shots and lemonade also includes production of conventional jam.

”We deliver steady goods to 6-7 countries, but I believe that today, 60-70% of our turnover comes from Germany, where our products are some of the few imported shots available in nationwide distribution,” says CEO and co-owner Frederik Lehmann to Organic News.

Growth continues

He recognizes the picture of a growing German organic market and expects that the positive development will continue.

”There is great potential in Germany, where many consumers are conscious. We are in national distribution with Edeka, which consists of independent grocers just like the Meny chain here at home. Therefore, we have engaged a German consulting firm. They visit stores to ensure our products are on the shelves and that they remember to reorder,” says Frederik Lehmann, who took over as CEO in 2022.

After a challenging 2024, exports helped improve the bottom line in the 2025 annual accounts, where Bangs posted a profit of 292,000 DKK, and the CEO expects exports to further lift the bottom line.

According to an analysis from the Workers' Movement Business Council (AE), Danish companies and the Danish economy are well prepared for new export adventures.

”Danish export companies have proven to be very resilient to the turmoil we see around the world. It is remarkable, and there is no sign of a decline in exports,” says Frederik Olsen, analyst at the Workers' Movement Business Council, in a press release.

According to AE, exports have been a central driver behind the strong growth in the Danish economy, and exports are expected to continue rising despite international unrest, tariffs, and higher oil prices, according to a new forecast from AE.

We need to get right into the engine room

”It is an extremely positive development we see in Germany,” says Dennis Hvam, who is convinced that several Danish producers have the potential to follow in Bangs' footsteps if they do the necessary groundwork at home.

Many of Denmark's largest food producers have been active in the German market for many years, but there is room for others besides Arla and Danish Crown, both of which operate their own companies in Germany.

”We want to help some of the small and medium-sized companies get a foothold in the German market, where you need to look very closely at the big nationwide chains that drive organic growth,” says Dennis Hvam.

These days, he is in Switzerland in connection with the DACH project, which Organic Denmark is implementing together with Bio Aus Dänemark. It aims to increase Denmark's exports to the foodservice industry in the DACH region, which includes Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but the two partners have also set their sights on the Biofach fair, where the goal is to bring 25 Danish exhibitors to Nuremberg in February 2027.

In this context, Dennis Hvam reminds that there are a large number of regional chains in Germany, which can be a good starting point.

”Our member companies can always get advice about the German market, which is very driven by private label, and we have created a playbook that shows the way to the German market,” he says.

The next step will be an online toolbox with tools for export companies.