According to a new study, vegetarianism and the consumption
of meat alternatives is on the rise in Germany.
Known as big meat eaters, young German consumers are
increasingly interested in animal welfare and the environment, which is
reflected in their decreasing meat consumption. In fact, up to 15 percent of 16-
to 24-year-old Germans consider themselves vegetarian, and 18 percent in this
age range purchase meat alternatives.
Global
Meat News quotes a senior food and drink analyst with Mintel:
Domestic meat consumption has been slipping in recent years, reflecting a trend towards meat reduced diets and vegetarianism in Germany. With the growing ranks of consumers embracing vegetarianism and veganism or a flexitarian eating pattern, the meat alternatives category is emerging from the shadows in Germany, fuelled by demand for a healthier and more varied diet.
As vegetarianism gains popularity, even the 200-year-old Oktoberfest,
a meat-laden annual German beer festival, has taken notice, and is offering
delicious vegan versions of traditional favorites.
In addition, the ambitious owner of Veganz,
an all-vegan supermarket chain based in Germany, is now boasting a goal of
opening 60 more stores by 2020 due to popular demand!
And here in the U.S., private
investors are putting millions into vegan food startups like Beyond Meat, and global market research
company Mintel recently found that 36
percent of Americans purchase meat alternatives at least some of the
time.
As more and more people move away from meat, there’s never
been a better time to add more vegetarian foods to your diet.
Click here to
order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide.