Vorrat

Vorrat is a German noun meaning stock, supply, or reserve kept on hand for future use. It refers to goods that are stored in households, businesses, and institutions to meet demand, bridge gaps in supply, or ensure continuity during disruptions. The term is used across contexts such as food, fuel, medicines, and spare parts.

In everyday usage, a Vorrat typically encompasses items stored for regular consumption or possible emergencies. Examples include a household Lebensmittelvorrat (food stock), a Notvorrat (emergency stock), or a municipal reserve of essential supplies. In logistics, a Vorrat is the on-hand quantity that can be drawn upon before new purchases or production.

From an economic perspective, Vorrat relates to inventory management and safety stock. Businesses perform Vorratshaltung to absorb demand variability, price fluctuations, or supply delays. The concept also appears in government policy as strategic reserves in sectors such as energy, grain, or critical materials.

Historically, Vorrat systems have shaped trade, agriculture, and military logistics, helping communities endure shortages. In modern retail and manufacturing, managing the Vorrat involves warehousing, forecasting, and contingency planning.