The trend towards more conscious meat consumption is increasing. The Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture wants changes in animal husbandry accordingly. CDU spokesman Albert Stegemann disagrees.
According to the Ministry of Food, meat consumption in Germany continues to decline. “Germans are paying more attention to their health, the impact on the environment and the welfare of animals when it comes to their diet,” said Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir (Greens), according to a statement. “Many people today are eating less meat, but more consciously – and all the figures suggest that the trend is continuing.”
According to preliminary information from the Federal Information Center for Agriculture (BZL), per capita meat consumption fell by 430 grams to 51.6 kilograms in 2023 compared to the previous year. This means it has reached the lowest value since recording began. Accordingly, beef consumption fell the most, by almost 5 percent to 8.9 kilograms per person. According to the information, the amount of pork consumed also fell by almost 600 grams to 27.5 kilograms per person. In contrast, poultry consumption increased: by around 900 grams to 13.1 kilograms per person.
Özdemir demanded that agriculture, together with trade and politics, should orientate itself on this reality in order to further develop animal husbandry in Germany in a future-proof manner. “Surveys regularly show that consumers want higher standards in animal husbandry and would also be willing to pay more money for them.” It’s about keeping fewer animals better, said the Green politician. In addition, plant-based alternatives such as oat milk or vegetarian burgers offer growing market potential for the domestic agriculture and food industry.
The agricultural and food policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Albert Stegemann, sees it differently: “It is completely wrong to use a political crowbar to push back animal husbandry in Germany.” What’s more: “Now the long-term trend towards less meat has to be taken into account.” Agriculture has been adapting to declining meat consumption for years. The spokesman also called for animal husbandry in Germany to be made competitive and future-proof. “Otherwise our regional animal husbandry will continue to migrate and we will have to import even more meat.”
Source: Stern
