Published in News
Meat Consumption in Germany Rises Again
Germany’s meat consumption increased in 2025, driven mainly by higher demand for poultry.
Martina Osmak
Director of Marketing
Consumption Trends Show Mixed Changes
Meat consumption in Germany went up again in 2025. Average intake reached 54.9 kilograms per person. This is an increase of 1.4 kilograms compared to the year before.
Even with this growth, consumption is still lower than in the past. In 2011, people in Germany ate much more meat, about 63.8 kilograms per person.
Poultry Leads the Growth
Poultry was the main reason for the increase. Consumption reached a new high of 14.7 kilograms per person.
There are a few reasons for this trend:
Poultry is often cheaper than other meats
It is seen as a lighter option by many consumers
Prices have risen less compared to beef and pork
Pork Still Dominates
Pork remains the most popular meat in Germany.
Average consumption: 28.3 kilograms per person
Share of total meat consumption: about 52%
This shows that even as habits change, pork still holds a strong position in the market.
Beef and Veal Edge Up
Beef and veal consumption also increased slightly. The rise was small, about 200 grams per person, bringing the total to 9.7 kilograms.
However, higher prices continue to limit stronger growth in this category.
Production Declines Slightly
While people are eating more meat, Germany produced a bit less in 2025.
Total meat production fell by 0.3%, reaching 7.3 million tonnes.
Key production changes:
Beef and veal output dropped by 6%
Poultry production stayed almost stable at around 1.5 million tonnes
Pork production increased by 1.1%
The fall in beef production was the biggest factor behind the overall decline.
Imports Increase to Meet Demand
To cover the gap between supply and demand, Germany imported more meat.
Imports rose by nearly 11%, reaching about 3.6 million tonnes.
Growth was strong in:
Beef
Poultry
Lamb
Exports also increased slightly, showing that Germany remains active in global meat trade.
Self-Sufficiency Still High but Changing
Germany still produces more meat than it consumes overall. The self-sufficiency rate stands at around 115%.
However, the situation is more complex for different types of meat:
Pork: about 139% self-sufficient
Beef and poultry: below 100%
There is also a difference between total production and what consumers want. Popular cuts like fillet and ham are not always available in enough quantity locally, which leads to continued imports.
Outlook for the Market
The data shows a market in transition.
Poultry is gaining popularity, while pork remains dominant. Production faces pressure from disease, costs, and changing farming conditions.
At the same time, imports are becoming more important to meet consumer demand.
Future trends will likely depend on prices, consumer preferences, and how the industry adapts to these shifts.
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