Sustainability of the Global Trade in Wild Plants: Germany's Role and Options for German Market stakeholders

A new report published by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and TRAFFIC, coinciding with World Wildlife Day 2026, reveals Germany’s central role in the global trade of wild-harvested plants - ingredients that underpin everyday consumer goods from herbal teas and cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, food supplements and fragrances.

The report, Sustainability of the Global Trade in Wild Plants: Germany's Role and Options for German Market Stakeholders, highlights the economic significance of this trade plus the urgent need for stronger sustainability measures.

Anyone who buys Brazil nuts, shea butter or liquorice root and thus uses ingredients or products from wild plants is often not aware that wild collection can also have negative consequences for nature and the local people. Extensive information material, such as that developed by a project on the trade in medicinal and aromatic plants, will now support consumers in their purchasing decisions - just in time for World Wildlife Day"

explains BfN President Sabine Riewenherm.

As consumers, we can have a direct impact on supply chains by specifically purchasing certified products and securing the future of these plants and thus make a difference"

says Stephanie von Meibom, project manager at TRAFFIC.

Wild Plants: A Hidden Backbone of German Industry

Every year, thousands of plant species harvested from the wild make their way into products for sale on German shelves. Consumers may recognise some of the ingredients like liquorice, shea butter or brazil nuts, but few are aware that 60–90% of plant species in global trade are believed to be wild-harvested—often from biodiverse, vulnerable ecosystems.

Germany is a global hotspot for industries that rely heavily on wild‑harvested plants. These include:

• Food & beverages – Germany consumes around 40 litres of herbal/fruit infusions per capita annually, with up to two‑thirds of the 300 species used in teas sourced from the wild.
• Cosmetics – As Europe’s largest national cosmetics market, Germany has seen natural cosmetics sales more than double since 2007. Many popular ingredients - including shea butter and rosehip oil - originate from wild harvesting.
• Medicines & health products – Plant‑based and homoeopathic medicines continue to be widely used in Germany, supported by a strong tradition of herbal remedies.

Germany: A Global Hub for Wild Plant Imports

With a historical legacy in natural product trade - from Hanseatic ports to the rise of global players in the health or beauty sector - Germany remains one of the world’s most significant importers and processors of wild plant ingredients.

Between 2013 and 2022, Germany was:

• The third‑largest importer globally of raw plant materials (after India and the USA)
• Responsible for 689,118 tonnes of imported plant ingredients, valued at USD 321 million
• The world’s second‑largest importer of medicinal and aromatic plant species protected under CITES and EU Wildlife Trade Regulations - including African devil’s claw, Cape aloe, candelilla wax and Iceland moss

This central role gives Germany both influence and responsibility: German businesses shape sustainability far beyond national borders.

Risks and Pressures: Why Action Is Urgent

Global trade in wild‑harvested plants has tripled over the past 20 years, driving rising pressure on natural ecosystems. Only 20% of medicinal and aromatic plant species have been assessed for extinction risk; of these, one in ten is threatened. The pressures we now see exerted on wild plant species due to trade are likely to be the tip of the iceberg.

Unsustainable harvesting - such as overcollection or harvesting at the wrong life stage - can devastate plant populations and the livelihoods of rural communities who rely on wild harvesting. Meanwhile, despite rising retail prices, wild harvesters often face low wages, insecure working conditions, and limited recognition.

Opportunities for German Businesses

The report identifies clear, practical steps for companies to secure long‑term supplies while protecting biodiversity. These include:

• Improving transparency in supply chains - identifying which products contain wild‑harvested ingredients and assessing related environmental and social risks. Use Wildcheck.info as a starting point.
• Ensuring legal compliance, particularly for species listed under CITES and EU Wildlife Trade Regulations.
• Adopting sustainability and traceability standards such as the FairWild Standard or UEBT.
• Building long‑term partnerships with harvesters and co-operatives to support fair prices and stable sourcing.
• Communicating sustainability commitments to consumers and partners.

With EU legislation such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) raising expectations for accountability, sustainable wild‑plant sourcing is increasingly a business imperative—not just an ethical one.

Empowering Consumers

As the final link in the supply chain, consumers can play a powerful role by:

• Learning which everyday products contain wild plant ingredients. Use wildcheck.info as a starting point!
• Choosing goods certified by schemes such as FairWild or UEBT
• Asking brands directly about sustainability measures and traceability

A Global Responsibility

Germany’s position as a major importer, processor and consumer of wild plant ingredients places the country at a critical juncture. By championing sustainable harvesting and fair supply chains, German companies and consumers can help protect biodiversity, safeguard rural livelihoods, and ensure the long‑term availability of the natural ingredients on which so many products rely.

TRAFFIC plans to support this work under the new initiative co-funded by the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation WildCheck: Wild plant trade that protects forests