Food rationing stamps discontinued in the FRG

© BdPh Food stamps for young persons between 6 and 16, Federal Republic of Germany, February 1950

West Germany’s population has experienced recurring dramatic shortages in its food supply since the end of the war in May of 1945. On 31 March 1950 the federal government under Konrad Adenauer (CDU) decides to discontinue food rationing stamps in the Federal Republic of Germany. Aid from the USA and the introduction of a market economy, including a currency reform (German mark as new currency starting in June of 1949), were principal contributors to the normalisation of supply. The end of food rationing stamps comes about a full eight years earlier in West Germany than in the GDR where rationing cards will not discontinued until 28 May 1958.