Meat consumption in Germany at an all-time low

By: Trademagazin editor Date: 2023. 04. 04. 09:08

Germans have not eaten so little meat for decades, at least according to the preliminary data of the Federal Centre for Agricultural Information (BZL).

Per capita meat consumption of 52 kilograms this year is down by around 4.2 kilograms compared to 2021, the lowest since calculations began in 1989.

According to the BZL, people consumed around 2.8 kilograms less pork, 900 grams less beef and veal and 400 grams less poultry last year. A continuing shift towards a plant-based diet may be considered as one explanation for the decline in meat consumption.

The trend in domestic demand is also reflected in net production, i.e. the level of stock slaughtered domestically: 9.8 per cent less pork and 8.2 per cent less beef and veal were produced compared to the previous year. As for poultry meat, net production fell by 2.9 per cent.

According to the preliminary data of BZL, meat production in 2022 reaches as high as 116 per cent of domestic demand (last year: 118 percent). In case of poultry meat, domestic production is capable of meeting 97.4 percent of domestic demand.

Lebensmittelpraxis