Share of vegans and vegetarians in Belgium 2018, by region
In the last decade, a considerable share of Europe’s population has turned into dedicated vegetarians and vegans, and Belgium is no exception in this regard. More and more people are flexible about their meat consumption, and the traditional potatoes, vegetables and meat meal is now sometimes replaced by a more animal-friendly alternative. In a recent survey, eight percent of respondents in Flanders stated to eat vegetarian at least three times per week. In Wallonia this was even higher, at nine percent.
Meat consumption in Belgium
With flexitarian eating on the rise, meat consumption in Belgium has significantly decreased. Whereas in 2006 Belgians on average consumed nearly 95 kilos of meat annually, by 2016 this had fallen to just 78.2 kilos per person. A 2017 survey found that roughly one third of Belgians expected their meat consumption to decrease even further in the next five years.
Going vegetarian/vegan
Although environmental impact and animal abuse are often-cited reasons for decreased meat consumption, a 2017 EU survey found that a large proportion of the participants planned to eat less meat for health reasons. 40 percent of respondents answered they expected their meat consumption to decrease because of the impact on their health, whereas only 12 percent mentioned the negative effect on the environment.
Meat consumption in Belgium
With flexitarian eating on the rise, meat consumption in Belgium has significantly decreased. Whereas in 2006 Belgians on average consumed nearly 95 kilos of meat annually, by 2016 this had fallen to just 78.2 kilos per person. A 2017 survey found that roughly one third of Belgians expected their meat consumption to decrease even further in the next five years.
Going vegetarian/vegan
Although environmental impact and animal abuse are often-cited reasons for decreased meat consumption, a 2017 EU survey found that a large proportion of the participants planned to eat less meat for health reasons. 40 percent of respondents answered they expected their meat consumption to decrease because of the impact on their health, whereas only 12 percent mentioned the negative effect on the environment.
