Falling consumption of meat in Poland

Wpis dostępny jest także w języku: polski

In 2019, the average Pole ate 1.4 kg less meat, compared to the previous year. In addition to the growing number of people who do not eat meat, this decrease is also due to the growing access to plant-based products. In the last year, the offer of ready-to-eat plant products has been significantly increased by fast food bars and retail chains, among others.

Recently, the vegetarian (and not only) part of the Internet has been energised by GUS data about meat consumption in 2019. The data shows that meat consumption in Poland decreased by 15.9 kg compared to 2018. This impressive result turned out to be an error resulting from incorrectly presented data in 2018. The corrected data showed that meat consumption fell by 2.2%, not 20%.

According to the Central Statistical Office (GUS), the average consumption of meat per 1 person in households in 2019 reached 61.0 kg of meat (compared to 62.4 kg in 2018), including raw meat in total 34.4 kg (compared to 35.5 kg in 2018), and including poultry meat – 18.4 kg (compared to 18.4 kg in 2018).

Growing offer of plant-based food

The decrease in meat consumption in Poland is undoubtedly influenced by the growing offer of ready-to-eat plant-based products in grocery stores or fast food chains. In response to the changing consumer trends, retail chains are introducing more and more dishes based on plant products in addition to traditional meat dishes. For example, Kaufland launched its own private label, Take it veggie. In the autumn, Zabka tested meatless hot dogs, which joined the chain’s permanent offer in March 2020.

Restaurants and fast food bars have seen an increase in the number of meals for vegetarian and vegan guests. The largest chains have recently introduced or expanded their offers for vegans and vegetarians.

This trend is also reaching petrol stations, where even on a vegetarian journey he is no longer doomed to buy hermetically packed snacks in the form of chips or sticks. An example are Orlen and Lotos service stations, which expanded its offer to vegetarians and vegans, introducing vegan hot dogs.

6% of Poles declare vegetarianism or veganism

According to PMR survey, 6% of Poles declare a vegetarian or vegan diet. Women more often declare vegetarian or veganism – 9% in comparison with 3% of men.

Interestingly, in the case of declarations of non-use of meat, there is no significant difference in terms of place of residence – a difference of 2 p.p. in favour of those living in the city. Slightly more often vegetarianism or veganism was declared by younger people, aged 35-54 (8% vs. 4% of people over 55) and people with higher income (over PLN 5,000 net per capita) – 8%.