Meat & Milk Reach Historic Consumption Lows in Flexitarian Germany

Meat and milk consumption have reached historic lows in Germany, with the production of plant-based proteins doubling since 2019. The country has recorded a 1.5% growth in sales of vegan food, reaching nearly €1.7B in 2024, according to Circana data released by the Good Food Institute (GFI) Europe. Over half of Germans identify as vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian, with more women than men falling into these categories.

Annual meat consumption in Germany has dropped to an all-time low, with red meat driving the decline. Milk consumption has also decreased, while the consumption rates of cheese and eggs are at their highest since at least 2010. Plant-based meat production has doubled in Germany, with the value of these products rising significantly as well. Despite this growth, barriers remain for plant-based alternatives due to preferences for traditional meat and dairy products.