Overview

• 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.