Meat consumption rising in the EU after years of decline – Agricultural Market Information Company
Average meat intake in the European Union has increased for the first time since 2019, though long-term growth remains uncertain.
EUROPE – Meat consumption in the European Union has increased for the first time since 2019, reversing a years-long downward trend.
Preliminary figures from the Agricultural Market Information Company (AMI) show that the average meat intake across EU member states reached 66 kilograms per person in 2024.
This marks a 2-kilogram increase compared to the previous year, highlighting a shift after consecutive annual declines in consumption.
However, intake levels vary widely between countries, with Cyprus topping the list at 88 kilograms per capita, followed by Ireland at 87 kilograms and both Portugal and Spain at 85 kilograms.
Germany recorded just 53 kilograms per person, placing it well below the EU average and among the nations with the lowest meat consumption.
Despite the recent rise, AMI forecasts that long-term consumption is unlikely to grow further, citing ongoing changes in dietary behavior across Europe.
Health and environment shape food choices
These findings come two years after a major consumer survey indicated that more than half of European meat eaters were actively cutting back on meat.
That 2022 survey was carried out by Smart Protein and supported by ProVeg, along with researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Ghent University.
It collected responses from 7,500 individuals across ten countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
The aim was to understand how attitudes toward plant-based foods are evolving and what motivates people to shift their eating patterns.
Health was identified as the leading factor for reduced meat consumption, cited by 47 percent of respondents.
Environmental reasons followed at 29 percent, while 26 percent said they were driven by concerns over animal welfare.
These motivations varied across countries, with health being especially important in Romania and Italy, while environmental and animal welfare concerns carried more weight in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany.
The sharpest declines in meat intake were reported in Germany, Italy, and France, where around 60 percent of participants said they had reduced how much meat they eat.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
