In 2020, 72% of regular milk in Germany was produced in adherence with the VLOG 'Ohne Gentechnik' or OG standard, and when combined with organic milk production, which likewise excludes the use of genetically modified animal feed, it means non-GMO milk now comprises 76% of the German market, reveals data published today.
The data was calculated by Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft AMI on behalf the Association of Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG), the group behind the OG standard.
VLOG awards licenses the seal for food and for feed that is produced in line with its OG production and certification standard. There are well over 1,000 feed related companies based in Germany but also in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium, certified against the VLOG standard today. They can be feed producers, logistic companies or mixers and grinders.
Essentially, non-GMO dairy feed can comprise ingredients ranging from rapeseed/canola meal, maize or its components such as corn expeller and corn gluten, grain or grain stillage, sunflower meal, molasses or other sugar beet ingredients and soy.
“The development in 'Ohne Gentechnik' milk is an enormous success story. From a niche product, it has already become the standard choice in the German market within just ten years,” commented, Alexander Hissting, MD of VLOG.
“In addition to the very successful dairy sector, there is still great potential for 'Ohne Gentechnik' in pork and beef products,” he added.
Earlier this year, VLOG reported that poultry meat products accounted for €2.2bn (US$2.5bn) or 17% of non-GMO food purchases by German consumers in 2020, non-GMO egg sales hit the €1.1bn mark or 9% of all non-GMO food products bought; other non-GMO products, including pork and fish products, accounted for €0.5bn or 4% of total sales.
