Dutch people ate over half a kilo less meat in 2025 than a year earlier

According to research by Wageningen University and Research conducted for the animal welfare organization Wakker Dier, meat consumption in the Netherlands continued its downward trend in 2025. Per capita meat consumption fell by 2 percent compared to the previous year, with individuals eating over half a kilogram less than in 2024. The total consumption figure reached 67.3 kilograms per person including bones, which equates to approximately 33.8 kilograms of edible meat.

This decline marks a broader trend over the last decade, as meat consumption has dropped by roughly 12 percent since 2016. While interest in red meats like pork and beef has decreased, the consumption of poultry saw a slight rise to 11.3 kilograms. Despite these shifts, current levels remain significantly higher than the health guidelines provided by the Voedingscentrum, which suggests that adults limit their intake to approximately 16 kilograms of meat annually to align with the Schijf van Vijf recommendations.