The German tariff of 1885 was a protectionist law passed by the Reichstag (under the guidance of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck) that raised tariffs on agricultural imports into Imperial Germany.
[1] The tariff of 1879 had imposed a duty of 1 mark per 100kg on wheat, rye and oats.
[2] However, this had failed to prevent the fall in grain prices.
[5] Germany had also lost most of its grain export markets.
[6] The agrarian party had grown in strength, and they complained of foreign competition and demanded protection for Germany's food supply, which they argued was vital in wartime.