Sources
- BMLEH (2025): Ernährungsreport 2025. Ergebnisse einer repräsentativen Bevölkerungsbefragung, durchgeführt von Forsa Verfügbar unter: https://www.bmleh.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/_Ernaehrung/forsa-ernaehrungsreport-2025-tabellen.pdf [Abgerufen am: 19.05.2026]
- BLE (2025):Versorgung mit Fleisch in Deutschland im Kalenderjahr 2010-2024 (Neuberechnung): https://www.ble.de/DE/BZL/Daten-Berichte/Fleisch/fleisch_node.html [10.05.2025]
- BLE (2025): Versorgungsbilanzen: 3.1 Versorgung mit Frischmilcherzeugnissen. Online unter: https://www.ble.de/DE/BZL/Daten-Berichte/Milch-Milcherzeugnisse/Versorgungsbilanzen.html [10.05.2025]
- BLE (2025): Versorgungsbilanzen: 5 Versorgung mit Käseerzeugnissen. Online unter: https://www.ble.de/DE/BZL/Daten-Berichte/Milch-Milcherzeugnisse/Versorgungsbilanzen.html [10.05.2025]
- BLE (2024): Versorgungsbilanz Eier 2023. Online unter https://www.ble.de/DE/BZL/Daten-Berichte/Eier/eier_node.html
- BLE (2025): Was wächst auf Deutschlands Feldern? Online unter: https://www.landwirtschaft.de/tier-und-pflanze/pflanze/nutzpflanzen-allgemein/was-waechst-auf-deutschlands-feldern [11.07.2025]
- Crippa, M., E. Solazzo, D. Guizzardi, et al. (2021): Food systems are responsible for a third of global anthropogenic GHG emissions. Nature Food 2(3), 198–209. doi:10.1038/s43016-021-00225-9
- GFI Europe (2025): 2022 to 2024: Germany plant-based food retail market insights. Online unter: https://gfieurope.org/european-plant-based-sales-data/#germany
- Hallström, E., A. Carlsson-Kanyama, et al. (2015): Environmental impact of dietary change: a systematic review. Journal of Cleaner Production 91 1–11.
- Statistisches Bundesamt (2024): Trend zu Fleischersatz ungebrochen: Produktion steigt 2023 um 16,6 % gegenüber dem Vorjahr, Pressemitteilung vom 02/05/2024. Online unter: https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2024/05/PD24_N018_42.html
- Kustar, A. & D. Patino-Echeverri (2021): A Review of Environmental Life Cycle Assessments of Diets: Plant-Based Solutions Are Truly Sustainable, even in the Form of Fast Foods. Sustainability 13(17), 9926.
- Springmann, M., L. Spajic, M. A. Clark, et al. (2020): The healthiness and sustainability of national and global food based dietary guidelines: modeling study. BMJ m2322. doi:10.1136/bmj.m2322 doi:10.1136/bmj.m2322
- Systemiq (2025): A Taste of Tomorrow – How protein diversification can strengthen Germany’s economy, veröffentlicht im Februar 2025. Online unter: https://www.systemiq.earth/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/A-Taste-of-Tomorrow-How-protein-diversification-can-strengthen-Germanys-economy_Systemiq_English_Final.pdf
- UBA (2025): Beitrag der Landwirtschaft zu den Treibhausgas-Emissionen. Online unter: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/daten/land-forstwirtschaft/beitrag-der-landwirtschaft-zu-den-treibhausgas [11.07.2025]
- Wissenschaftlicher Beirat für Agrarpolitik, Ernährung und gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutz beim BMLEH (2025): Mehr Auswahl am gemeinsamen Tisch: Alternativprodukte zu tierischen Lebensmitteln als Beitrag zu einer nachhaltigeren Ernährung. Gutachten, Berlin.
Frequently asked questions
How many people in Germany eat a plant-focused diet?
Over half of Germany’s population aged 14 and above identifies as flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan, or frequently chooses plant-based alternatives. According to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, 51 percent of the population follows a plant-focused diet, and the shift towards plant-focused eating is clear even though figures for flexitarians fluctuate.
Why do people in Germany buy plant-based alternatives?
More than half of the German population has already purchased plant-based alternatives to animal-based products. Consumers mainly buy them out of curiosity and because they taste good; other reasons include animal welfare, the climate and environment, and health. The proportion of people who buy these products regularly is steadily increasing.
How is meat and milk consumption changing in Germany?
Consumption of some animal products in Germany is falling. Pork consumption has decreased in recent years to 28.3 kilograms per capita, and milk consumption in 2025 was lower than ever before, at just 45.1 kilograms per capita, according to data from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE).
How big is Germany’s plant-based meat-alternative industry?
Around 70 companies in Germany produce plant-based alternatives to meat. Compared with 2019, production in Germany has more than doubled, increasing by approximately 110%, and the value of production rose by 137% in 2024, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
How much could plant-based diets cut Germany’s food emissions?
German agriculture was responsible for around 54 million tons of CO2 equivalents in 2024. Overall, plant-based diets could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Germany’s food system by up to 80 percent and land use by up to 25 percent. On an individual level, plant-based diets produce up to 50 percent fewer emissions than a mixed diet.
Could alternative proteins create jobs in Germany?
Yes. With appropriate political support and investment, the alternative-protein sector could boost economic growth and create jobs in Germany. According to a study by Systemiq, rising demand for plant-based alternatives also strengthens the local economy and promotes new training programs, with up to 250,000 new jobs possible by 2045.