It marks a turning point: with an average of 51.6 kilograms per capita, less meat was consumed in Germany than ever before. This decline not only reflects changing consumer behavior, but also opens up new perspectives for agriculture. Federal Minister Cem Özdemir sees this as an opportunity to make fewer, but better kept animals the new norm. The shift towards more conscious meat consumption is being driven by greater consideration of health, environmental impact and animal welfare.
A new awareness of meat
The trend towards reduced meat consumption in Germany is obvious and is bearing fruit: a decrease of 430 grams compared to the previous year represents a historic low. What is particularly noticeable is the significant decline in consumption of beef and pork, while poultry consumption is increasing slightly. This development calls for a reorientation of agriculture, which should be supported by both politics and trade. Minister Özdemir emphasizes the need to make animal husbandry in Germany future-proof in order to meet increasing consumer demands for higher animal husbandry standards.
Opportunities and challenges
The falling demand for meat not only presents challenges but also opportunities for agriculture. Özdemir sees great potential for the agricultural sector in plant-based alternatives and improved animal husbandry. Farmers are required to adapt to changing consumer preferences, while at the same time policy measures aim to strengthen the competitiveness of livestock farming. Criticism comes from the opposition, which fears that the trend will be exploited politically and calls for greater support for domestic animal husbandry in order to avoid migration.
“We should take advantage of the new market opportunities. Keeping fewer animals better – that’s what it’s all about. My job is to ensure good conditions for agriculture so that good meat continues to come from Germany in the future. We have taken decisive steps to achieve this with the introduction of the state animal husbandry label and the federal program for the restructuring of animal husbandry.”
Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir
Economic impact
The decline in meat consumption also has economic consequences: both imports and exports of meat have fallen. This development could have long-term effects on the German meat industry, but also shows that Germany exports more meat than it imports. The shift in consumer habits presents an opportunity to make the agricultural economy more sustainable and animal-friendly, while reducing dependence on meat imports.
Questions and answers:
Why has meat consumption fallen in Germany?
Meat consumption in Germany has fallen due to growing awareness of health, environmental impact and animal welfare. Many consumers consciously choose less but higher quality meat.
What impact does declining meat consumption have on agriculture?
Agriculture faces the challenge of adapting to changing consumer preferences. This offers opportunities for more sustainable and animal-friendly production as well as for opening up new market segments, such as plant-based alternatives.
How is politics reacting to the trend towards reduced meat consumption?
Politics supports the realignment of agriculture through funding measures and legal frameworks. The aim is to make animal husbandry in Germany future-proof and to meet consumer demands for higher standards.
Could the trend towards less meat consumption change import and export dynamics?
Yes, the decline in meat consumption has already led to a reduction in meat imports and exports. This could impact the meat industry and underline the need for a greater focus on the internal market and sustainable and ethical production methods.
Sources:
- Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food Graphics
- Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food Özdemir on declining meat consumption
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )