UK Meat Consumption Drops 14% in 10 Years, Reaching Lowest Level Since Records Began
Per capita meat consumption in the UK fell by 14% between 2012 and 2022, according to new administration figures from the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
“The events of the last two years have highlighted to shoppers that there are more ethical and compassionate ways we can live – and these days, supermarkets are only too happy to provide them,”
The trend takes total meat consumption to the lowest level since records began in the 1970s. This is true across all types of meat, with a huge 26% reduction in the consumption of carcass meats (such as pork, beef, and lamb) since 2012, and an 11% fall in the consumption of other meats such as poultry. The year to March 2022 saw a notable drop in average weekly meat intake, from 976g compared to 854g the previous year.
Fish consumption in addition fell over this period, from 148g to 135g, as first set out by the Guardian yesterday. The went up cost of living is believed to be a key driver of this trend, with meat quotations rising significantly in the year to 2022.
Lifestyle changes — likely due to concerns about animal welfare, the environment. Personal health — in addition play a role, along with the impact of the pandemic . © THIS Recent data from Statista finds that approximately four percent of UK buyers identify as vegan. “The idea of eating no meat is much more widespread among younger shoppers than among older generations. Meat-free food consumption will thus become even more important in the British market in years to come. The UK marketplace for meat substitutes is already worth over ten billion euros, making it the largest in Europe ,” states the work platform.
Last year, The Vegan Society conducted work with similar results , outcome that 23% of Brits had reduced their intake of animal products since the beginning of the pandemic.
- Who: Rural Affairs
- Percentages: 14% · 26% · 11% · 65%
- Figures: 14% · 26% · 11% · 65%
