The federal ex situ gene bank is one of the world's largest collections, both because of its botanical diversity and the size of its collection. The stock comprises 151,348 accessions from 92 plant families with 758 genera and 2,912 species.

Most of the collection is stored on the main campus in Gatersleben (Saxony-Anhalt) as seeds in cold rooms at minus 18 degrees. Under these conditions, seed longevity is maintained for several decades. Material that is not suitable for seed storage is preserved in the field, by in vitro culture or cryopreservation. Special collections are maintained at the satellite stations in Groß Lüsewitz and Malchow (Western Pommerania).

In addition to the living collections, the genebank houses a herbarium with 446,656 specimens, 109,387 reference samples of seeds and fruits, and 56,609 cereal spikes.

Since 1948, more than 1.1 million samples have been provided to users at home and abroad. Seed and plant material is available based on the terms of the Standard Material Transfer Agreement of the International Seed Treaty and a small user fee.

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