Germany's Bäckerhandwerk Faces Decline Amid Workforce Shortages

Traditional bakeries struggle with labor shortages and competition from industrial bakeries, while migration offers potential solutions.

The number of traditional bakeries in Germany has decreased by 30% over the past decade, with 20,000 jobs lost in the sector.
Labor shortages, high stress, and low wages are driving challenges in the industry, with 86% of surveyed workers reporting frequent time pressure and understaffing.
Efforts to recruit apprentices from abroad, particularly from Vietnam and North Africa, have shown promise, with 11.4% more apprentices joining in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Large industrial bakeries are expanding, now accounting for 36% of the market share, while smaller businesses struggle to remain competitive.
Proposed solutions include improving working conditions, such as shifting production from night to daytime, and enhancing wages and training opportunities to attract and retain workers.