The German Agriculture Minister, Alois Rainer of the CSU party, is planning a significant overhaul of the nation’s agricultural export strategy, aiming to bolster overseas sales and address growing geopolitical headwinds. In a recent contribution to the Handelsblatt, Rainer outlined a series of initiatives designed to aggressively promote “Made in Germany” agricultural products on the international stage. These include the creation of a dedicated Export Coordinator position and a novel “Export Chief Veterinary Officer” a move intended to streamline approvals and reassure international trading partners regarding German food safety standards.
Beyond structural changes, Rainer has pledged a substantial increase in funding for overseas trade fair programs and other export-related measures, slated to take effect from 2026. Ministerial delegations will routinely accompany the Agriculture Minister on international trips – a strategy he claims was informed by a recent visit to the United States where the perception of German agricultural products as synonymous with “highest quality and reliable standards” was observed.
The announcement comes amidst a backdrop of increasing global protectionism and trade barriers, concerns Rainer explicitly acknowledged. He framed the proposed initiatives as a vital response to these challenges, highlighting the crucial role the agricultural sector plays in the German economy, supporting 5.4 million jobs and underpinning rural communities. With agricultural exports achieving nearly €100 billion last year, Rainer insists on actively defending and expanding this vital revenue stream.
The plan’s reliance on a full reinstatement of the agricultural diesel subsidy by January 2026, projected to provide annual relief of around €430 million for agricultural businesses, has already drawn criticism. While hailed by the CSU as a crucial step to alleviate financial pressures on farmers, detractors argue that the subsidy represents a regressive measure, potentially undermining broader efforts to promote sustainable farming practices and discouraging investment in more efficient technologies.
Furthermore, Rainer’s emphasis on “value” and appreciation for farmers, while politically astute in a context of ongoing rural decline, raises questions about the broader structural issues plaguing the industry. Critics contend that focusing solely on export expansion risks masking underlying problems related to farm incomes, generational succession and the long-term viability of rural communities. The initiative, while presented as a strategy for growth, will ultimately hinge on whether it can address these deeper structural concerns and avoid exacerbating existing inequalities within the agricultural sector.