German meat consumption increased in 2025

German meat consumption
On average, Germans ate 28.3 kg of pork in 2025. Photo: Jan Willem Schouten

Per capita meat consumption has risen in Germany throughout 2025. On average, every German consumed 1.4 kg more meat than in 2024. The figures emerge from preliminary calculations by the German Federal Office for Agriculture (BZL).

BZL said that on average, each German citizen consumed 54.9 kg in 2025. While this is more than in 2024, it is significantly less than in 2011. At that time, per capita average meat consumption in Germany amounted to 63.8 kg.

Pork most important

With a share of 52% of total consumption, pork remains by far the most important type of meat in Germany. In 2025, per capita, Germans consumed on average 28.3 kg pork. Over the last 4 years, that amount has stayed relatively stable, but in 2021 the level was at 31.0 kg.

Average German poultry consumption reached a new high of 14.7 kg per capita. Veal and beef consumption also rose slightly to end up at 9.7 kg; back in 2020, however, this amount was 10.8 kg. And although consumption increased, domestic meat production fell slightly by 0.3% to 7.3 million tons in 2025. German pork production, on the other hand, rose slightly by 1.1%.

The German self-sufficiency rate for pork is 139%. BZL said that meat imports remain necessary despite the high self-sufficiency rate, as that rate applies to the entire pig. For popular cuts, such as tenderloin, ham and chops, the self-sufficiency rate is significantly lower at 80%. As a result, imports remain necessary. The BZL is part of the German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food.

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Poelsma
Bouke Poelsma Freelance journalist