Per capita consumption of meat in Germany 2016-2018, by type

Total per capita meat consumption in Germany amounted to around 60 kilograms in 2018. Over half of this amount was made up of pork, followed by poultry. Various sausages and hams, some of the products that Germany is best known for, are among the most consumed meat products in the country.

A growing industry

The German meat processing industry has seen a rise in enterprise numbers in recent years, amounting to 1,425 businesses in 2017. Among meat eaters, whether they go to the meat counter in their local supermarket or a butcher, it is not unusual to have very particular preferences on where to buy meat and what to buy, especially with increasing consumer awareness about manufacturing methods behind the products. Other influences on purchase choices are connected with how animals facing slaughter are being raised and treated.

Meat eating Europe

Meat processing and preserving as an industry in Germany is expected to see increased revenues by the 2020s. However, compared to selected European countries, such as France, Italy, Spain and the UK, Germany does not have the highest per capita meat consumption figures.