German Natural Food Company Naturkost Übelhör Declares Insolvency Amid Rising Corporate Bankruptcies

Naturkost Übelhör GmbH & Co. KG, a renowned natural food company based in Friesenhofen, Baden-Württemberg, has filed for insolvency due to financial difficulties, highlighting the mounting wave of corporate bankruptcies in Germany. The Ravensburg District Court initiated insolvency proceedings on October 15, appointing attorney Alexander Hubl as provisional insolvency administrator. Founded in 1987, Naturkost Übelhör evolved from a small operation to an international enterprise specializing in the cleaning and processing of organic raw materials like chia seeds and legumes, including owning Europe's only chia seed cleaning facility at one point.

This insolvency affects 38 employees, with efforts underway to secure wages through insolvency payments. The administrator is managing the sale of perishable organic materials and fulfilling ongoing service contracts while assessing potential restructuring options, though no definitive plans have yet been announced.

The bankruptcy comes amid a troubling trend in Germany where corporate insolvencies are projected to rise by 11% in 2025, reaching approximately 24,320 cases—the highest level in twelve years and nearly double the global average. Milo Bogaerts, CEO of Allianz Trade in Germany, attributes this surge to challenging economic conditions including persistently high interest rates and restrictive credit policies, which particularly impact small and medium-sized enterprises.

Naturkost Übelhör's uncertain future exemplifies the broader economic strain felt among German companies this year, foreshadowing potential further disruptions as the country faces its highest insolvency rates in over a decade.