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 151,775 accessions from 95 plant families with 750 genera and 2,849 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 450,400 specimens, 110,394 reference samples of seeds and fruits, and 58,559 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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