Overview

• Lebkuchen Schmidt in Nürnberg and the Aachener Lambertz-Gruppe have run production lines around the clock six days a week since June to build inventory months ahead of the season.
• Last year’s output reached 81,000 tonnes—down from 86,800 in 2023—with about a quarter of Christmas baked goods exported, notably to Eastern Europe.
• Supermarkets rolled out Lebkuchen, Spekulatius and Zimtsterne in early August ahead of the usual late-August release to meet growing autumn demand.
• Data from the Bundesverband des Deutschen Lebensmittelhandels show that sales in September and October now rival November and December as consumers seek familiar treats after summer vacations.
• Consumers favor classic recipes; demand for organic and vegan options is rising, while extreme flavor experiments like chili or Dubai chocolate have failed to gain traction.