Europe is the great global exception and meat consumption is declining. In addition, it is expected that meat consumption will continue in this line of decline while other areas of the world, such as Asia, continue to clearly increase.
All forecasts suggest that in the next decade meat consumption in Europe will drop from almost 66 kg per year and person to 64 kg. In the latest report on meat consumption in Germany, the decrease is more pronounced and has gone from 5Kg to 61Kg per year per person in the last 52 years.
Within the calculation, the consumption of pork and beef are the most affected by this decrease while chicken and turkey meat gain, somewhat, market share. In this way, the cattle herd will drop by 9% in the next decade and that of pigs by 1%. For its part, poultry meat will increase by 1%. The consumption of lamb meat will remain stagnant and although the autochthonous population decreases, the consumption is compensated by the immigrant population.
Age, inflation and health the main reasons for the decline in meat consumption.
Among the great causes of the decline in meat are age. The European population is getting older every day and the consumption of meat in these age groups is lower. In the case of the young population, they greatly reduce their meat consumption and opt for other vegetable protein alternatives.
On the other hand, the increase in prices has led to a reduction in meat consumption, especially among people with less purchasing power. Health is also an important reason, the warning to reduce meat consumption to improve health undoubtedly affects meat consumption.
Finally the arrival of cultured meat options or plant based It is not yet significant and it is expected that it will gain market share very slowly and gradually.
