Germany’s medical cannabis market is entering a period of record-breaking growth, with Q2 2025 import volumes reaching over 43 tonnes. This represents a nearly fourfold increase from the 11.6 tonnes recorded in the same period of 2024, a remarkable leap that underscores the rising patient demand, evolving regulations, and maturing global supply chain that supports Germany’s position as Europe’s largest medical cannabis market. Canada remains the top supplier, but Portugal’s accelerating export capacity has positioned it as a strong contender for market share. Other countries, including Australia, Denmark, and Lesotho, are also stepping up their contributions, helping diversify Germany’s cannabis imports and strengthen supply chain resilience.
Patient Demand and Market Expansion
The surge in Germany’s medical cannabis imports is closely tied to a substantial increase in patient numbers. Since medical cannabis was legalised in 2017, the patient base has expanded steadily, but 2025 has brought a particularly sharp rise. This growth is driven by a combination of factors: wider acceptance by the medical community, an increase in the number of physicians certified to prescribe cannabis, and more favourable insurance coverage policies. Chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and palliative care remain among the most common treatment categories, but there is also growing interest in cannabis for anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions where traditional pharmaceuticals have proven less effective. The expansion of eligible conditions has naturally led to higher demand, which in turn has necessitated greater import volumes to prevent shortages in pharmacies.
Canada’s Continued Export Leadership
Canada continues to dominate Germany’s import statistics, supplying more than half of all medical cannabis brought into the country in Q2 2025. Its well-established licensed producers operate at an industrial scale, ensuring consistent product quality that meets European GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards. Canadian exports include a wide range of products—from dried flower with tightly controlled cannabinoid profiles to high-grade oils and capsules suitable for pharmaceutical dispensing. Many of the leading Canadian companies have secured long-term supply contracts with German distributors, ensuring a stable pipeline of imports. The country’s regulatory alignment with European standards has also given it an edge over some competitors, allowing for smoother and faster import approvals.
Portugal’s Rapidly Rising Role
While Canada holds the top position, Portugal is emerging as a serious challenger in Germany’s supply network. In the last two years, Portugal’s cannabis industry has undergone rapid industrialisation, with new cultivation facilities meeting the strict requirements for EU-GMP certification. Portugal benefits from a warm Mediterranean climate, allowing for cost-effective greenhouse cultivation that maintains high quality while reducing operational expenses compared to fully indoor setups. In Q2 2025, Portuguese exports to Germany recorded significant double-digit growth, and industry insiders predict that Portugal could eventually rival Canada in terms of annual export volumes. Several Portuguese companies have recently expanded their production areas and signed new contracts with German wholesalers, signalling long-term supply commitments.
Diversification and Supply Chain Resilience
Germany’s growing list of cannabis suppliers is a strategic move aimed at ensuring consistent product availability. Past shortages—especially between 2018 and 2021—exposed the risks of relying too heavily on a narrow supplier base. In response, German regulators have encouraged the licensing of new importers and have approved shipments from a broader range of countries. Australia has increased its share of exports to Germany, particularly in the form of medical-grade cannabis oils. Denmark continues to provide high-quality indoor-grown flower, while African producers such as Lesotho are beginning to carve out a niche for competitively priced imports. This diversification also offers patients more choice in terms of strain selection, cannabinoid content, and product formats.
Domestic Production and Regulatory Developments
Alongside imports, Germany has been working to expand domestic production under the supervision of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). Licensed German cultivators have started to bring their products to market, although the scale is still relatively small compared to the country’s overall demand. Domestic output is expected to grow steadily over the next few years, potentially easing reliance on imports. On the regulatory front, streamlined licensing procedures, expanded physician education programs, and improved insurance reimbursement processes are making it easier for patients to access cannabis-based medicines. With these supportive policies, Germany’s annual import figures could surpass 150 tonnes by the end of the decade if current trends persist.
Impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalisation
The partial legalisation of recreational cannabis in 2024 has not diminished the medical market’s growth—if anything, it has raised awareness and reduced stigma around cannabis use in general. While recreational sales operate under a different legal framework, there is potential overlap in infrastructure, with some distribution and cultivation facilities potentially serving both markets under strict regulatory separation. This dual-track system could bring operational efficiencies that help lower costs for patients and improve overall product availability.
Outlook for Germany’s Cannabis Import Market
If the current momentum continues, Germany will remain the largest importer of medical cannabis in Europe for the foreseeable future. The combination of a growing patient population, diversified supply chain, and ongoing regulatory refinements positions the country as a central hub in the global cannabis trade. Canadian dominance is likely to be challenged by Portugal and other emerging suppliers, creating a more competitive environment that could benefit both distributors and patients through lower prices and greater product variety. With Q2 2025 setting a new record at over 43 tonnes, all signs point to sustained import growth in the months and years ahead.
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