Tradition, innovation and enjoyment at the highest level: Saxony-Anhalt's food industry stands for diversity, quality and sustainability. With an annual turnover of around 8.7 billion euros, it is one of the strongest sectors in the state.
A special setting for this is the International Green Week in Berlin, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. For a century, it has been a showcase for agriculture, food and enjoyment - and in its anniversary year, it offers the ideal opportunity to experience the diversity of Saxony-Anhalt: as a stage for regional products with history, special gastronomy concepts and forward-looking initiatives from the state.
The Altmark impresses with new ideas
In the north of the state, the culinary journey begins with a real surprise. The Schwarz family's asparagus farm in Tangerhütte has also been breeding snails since 2023. For Schneckenzucht Altmark GbR, the focus is on the holistic utilization of the snail. The innovative model project is being scientifically supported and is an example of how new value chains can be created in the food industry.
Just half an hour's drive away in Stendal, the young Vietnamese Hai Ngoc Can is learning how pigs are turned into high-quality sausage and meat products. In September 2025, Altmärker Fleisch- und Wurstwaren GmbH took on three young people from Vietnam to train as sales assistants for the first time. This is complemented by weekly language lessons and support with visits to the authorities. A successful example of integration and sustainable recruitment of skilled workers in a traditional industry - implemented as part of the VIETHOGA program.
Also in northern Saxony-Anhalt, on the outskirts of Tangermünde, is a new production hall belonging to the Stehwien family business. Now in its fifth generation, the company produces bar specialties, chocolate bars and pralines in organic quality - now also with a clear focus on vegan products. The certified organic company is run jointly by young entrepreneur Elisabeth Stehwien and her father Olaf Stehwien. The traditional confectionery production has also left its mark in other regions of the country: Wikana cookies, Zetti crunchy flakes and bear paws are brands known far beyond Saxony-Anhalt.
Unique recycling cycle
The beverage sector is also characterized by strong investments. In Jessen in the district of Wittenberg, another highly efficient bottling plant for mineral water will go into operation in spring 2026. Around 450 million disposable PET bottles are to be filled on three production lines there every year. With two modern beverage plants and a plastics plant in Roßbach, Schwarz Produktion has established key components of a unique recycling system in Saxony-Anhalt. The success story of mineral water in the state goes back a long way: the Köhler spring was discovered in Leißling back in 1189.
Enjoyment in a glass from the Saale-Unstrut region
Another discovery - not only for Berlin wine expert Emmanuel Rosier - is the Saale-Unstrut wine-growing region in the south of Saxony-Anhalt. The climate around the 51st parallel, combined with soils of weathered shell limestone, clay, loam and red sandstone, ensures an extraordinary variety of vines and wines with freshness, minerality and effervescence. At the 2026 Green Week, Landesweingut Kloster Pforta will be presenting rediscoveries such as "Silvaner trocken", as well as new sparkling wines - such as the delicate pink-colored, naturally fermented and unfiltered "Pét Nat Rosé" with real hipster potential. What's more, the region itself offers everything that makes for enjoyment and quality of life - picturesque landscapes, castles and palaces, small vineyard houses and numerous moments of pleasure for the palate.
2026 is also a year of anniversaries: 170 years of Rotkäppchen sparkling wine, 120 years of Wikana and 70 years of Filinchen crispbread stand for continuity, innovation and strong brands from Saxony-Anhalt. Together with young gastronomy, regional initiatives and committed businesses, they impressively demonstrate that the state's food industry is not only in the top league economically, but also in culinary terms.
You can find out more about this and other exciting topics relating to gastronomy and nutrition in our new press kit.