Society

Study Shows Meat Consumption in Germany is Declining

A recent representative study by Forsa on the eating habits of Germans, commissioned by Federal Minister of Food Julia Klöckner, shows that meat consumption in the country continues to decline and this decline is increasingly taking place amongst males. Only 26% of those surveyed eat meat every day, whereas this was the case for 34% surveyed in 2015.

One reason for this decline is that more and more men in particular are forgoing their daily portion of meat. Just under half of those surveyed (49%) have already bought vegetarian or vegan alternatives to animal products at least once.

Predictably, young people are more open-minded: 61% of 14 to 29-year-olds and 64% of 30 to 44-year-olds have already opted for these products once or more often when shopping. The reasons given were:

  • 75% of those surveyed are primarily curious when they buy these alternatives
  • 48% do it for animal welfare reasons
  • 43% because they like it
  • 41% make their decision because it is good for the climate
  • 55%describe themselves as flexitarians

Julia Klöckner commented: “Consumers in Germany are eating an increasingly varied diet. They like to try out new things, and according to our survey, there is a colourful variety on their plates. What consumers do not need are government regulations for private shopping lists. A balanced diet does not include meat and sausage every day. The number of those who deliberately avoid them has increased. People used to talk about Sunday roasts – and not without reason! A clear result of the eating habits in Germany is that more than half of them are flexitarians, not completely without and not only with meat, but both.

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