Number of people who classify themselves as vegetarian in Germany 2015-2024

In 2024, about 8.43 million people in Germany were either vegetarians or largely forgo meat consumption. Since 2014, the number of people identifying as either complete or nearly complete vegetarians has grown noticeably. 

Trends in German meat consumption

Per capita meat consumption in Germany has changed in recent years. Except for poultry, pork an beef saw noticeable annual decreases. Consumption of meat and sausage products, for which the country is well known, varied by product, giving rise to the idea that Germans are no longer totally hesitant to give up on meat or sausages.

The German vegetarian and vegan meat Substitute market

The decline in German meat consumption is accompanied by a rise in the production of vegan and vegetarian meat substitutes. In 2021, close to 100,000 tons of these alternatives were produced in Germany. Just in the two since 2019 this production has grown by almost 40,000 tons. In monetary value, this means a production of meat substitutes worth close to 460 million euros.