Özdemir on declining meat consumption: “Use new market opportunities”
Meat consumption among Germans will fall to its lowest level in 2023. The long-term trend towards decreasing meat consumption continued in 2023. According to preliminary information from the Federal Information Center for Agriculture (BZL), per capita meat consumption fell by 430 grams to 51,6 kilograms. This is the lowest value since recording began. You can quote the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, as follows: "Germans pay more attention to their health, the impact on the environment or the welfare of animals when it comes to their diet. Many people today eat less meat, but more consciously - and All the figures suggest that the trend will continue. Agriculture, trade and politics should work together to develop animal husbandry in Germany in a future-proof manner. Surveys regularly show that consumers want and are willing to achieve higher standards in animal husbandry would be to pay more money for this. Of course, this requires a broader range and the trade has repeatedly made it clear that it will focus on higher levels of husbandry in the future.
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. To this end, we have taken decisive steps with the introduction of the state animal husbandry license and the federal program for the restructuring of animal husbandry. We first start with pig farming and support companies that want to keep their animals better.
At the same time, we believe that farmers can make good money with plant-based alternatives in addition to animal products. Ultimately, oat milk and veggie burgers offer growing market potential for the domestic agriculture and food industry."
