Meat consumption trends in Europe: changing habits and environmental concerns

In recent years, people in the European Union have become increasingly conscious and responsible about their MEAT consumption. According to Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft, meat consumption per capita in Europe has decreased by 4.5 kg over the past four years. This is an interesting phenomenon that shows differences in meat consumption between EU countries .

The highest meat consumption in Europe is observed in Ireland, Portugal and Spain, where on average there is about 80 kg of meat per person per year. Denmark, Lithuania and France also stand out, consuming more than 70 kg of meat per capita. At the same time, in the Netherlands, residents consume about 61 kg of meat per person, and in Germany this figure is 52 kg.

it is interesting to note that meat consumption peaked in 2019, after which a gradual decline in consumption began. In 2023, meat consumption decreased by 1.6% compared to the previous year. These changes are due to changing eating habits and the growing popularity of plant-based meat alternatives.

One of the main reasons for reducing meat consumption is promoting concern for the environment. In recent years, more people have become aware of the meat industry's impact on climate change and environmental sustainability. Many are looking to reduce their meat consumption or switch to a completely plant-based diet. At the same time, the emergence of new plant-based alternatives to meat, such as burgers made from plant ingredients or meat products based on plant proteins, has become a significant factor in changing consumer preferences.