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German meat consumption at lowest level since 1989
German consumers again consumed less meat last year. Figures from the German Product Board of Agriculture and Food (BLE), part of the Ministry of Agriculture, show that consumption last year was at its lowest level since 1989. The corona pandemic and a switch to plant-based alternatives are possible causes.
Last year, Germans ate an average of 55 kilograms of meat per person. That is 2,1 kilos less than one year earlier and 3,1 kilos less than in pre-corona year 2019. The consumption of almost all meat types decreased. In 2011, according to the government agency, meat consumption was still 62,8 kilos. This means that in ten years Germans have started to eat about 12,4% less meat.
Especially pig less popular
Pork consumption, in particular, has been hit hard. In those ten years, consumption has fallen by 9,1 kilograms (-23%) per person. In 2010, German consumption peaked with pork consumption of 40,1 kilograms per person. Over the past year, the consumption of this type of meat amounted to 31 kilos per person. Compared to 2020, this is a decrease of 1,2 kilos.
Poultry meat and beef were also consumed less frequently in the past year. 13,1 kilos of poultry was consumed per person and beef accounted for 9,4 kilos per person. That is a reduction of 0,2 kilograms and 0,6 kilograms respectively.
Two possible reasons
The government agency has two possible causes for the sharp decline. Meat consumption outside the home was significantly lower due to the corona pandemic. This may have depressed total consumption. The organization also points to the trend in which consumers are increasingly opting for plant-based alternatives.
Steve Wissink
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