Wageningen University & Research: 2023 Meat Consumption in the Netherlands Mirrors 2022 Figures
The total consumption of meat and meat products (based on carcass weight) per capita in the Netherlands in 2023 is almost the same as in 2022. In that year the consumption reached 75.1 kilograms, in 2023 it reached 75.3 kilograms, according to research by Wageningen Economic Research commissioned by Wakker Dier.
Wageningen Economic Research has been researching meat consumption annually since 2005. The year 2022 emerges as the year with the lowest consumption figure ( 75.1 kilo). The decline in the figure series during the ‘corona years’ 2020-2021 has continued over the last two years at a level of just above 75 kilograms. This is 2.5 kilograms lower than the 2019 figure. As a result, the 2020 trend break remains in effect.
Little changes
The figures for 2023 hardly differ from those calculated for 2022. The consumption of the main categories of pork, beef and poultry changes little in all three cases, by 0.2 kilograms. As has been the case for many years, the figures for the other distinct categories of veal, sheep and goat and horse meat are a repeat of what was recorded in previous years.
No surprising changes occurred in 2023. It is still notable, however, that data related to meat purchases at retail outlets (supermarkets and butchers/poulterers) show that the small increase in total beef consumption is related to increased sales of minced beef (9.6%). In contrast, sales of other beef through the retail channel are down (-7.7%).
Less expensive cut meats
Pork sales losses in supermarket and butcher sales are much smaller (0.2%), but are not offset on the total by slightly increased sales of half-and-half minced meat (3.4%). In both cases, this indicates that (more expensive) cut meats (steaks, chops and the like) pass less past the checkout at supermarkets and butchers than (cheaper) rotisserie products (minced meat, burgers and the like).