To get an idea of what the future of the German grease market holds, we need to take a look at the current situation. That means examining the economic situation in Germany. Germany has a population of about 82 million people and generates a GDP of around ?2,570 billion. A quarter of this GDP is generated by industry - a sector which employs nearly 20% of all workers. After the crisis of 2008 and 2009, GDP grew by approximately 3.7% in 2010 and 2.9% in 2011. At the end of 2011 growth in Germany slowed and even the latest expectations predict economic growth of about 1% for 2012. The forecasts paint a promising picture for the second half of 2012 with growth of more than 1%. At 46%, nearly half of GDP is generated by export business in industrial machines, cars and automotive components, and chemical products. The main export partners are European countries, the USA, and the Far East, mainly China. Germany has the largest population and economy in the European Community, while its economy is the world's fourth biggest.
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