Portfolio
Portfolio
Beyond bratwurst: how Germany's cities shape its vegan scene
Germany’s food culture is as diverse as its cities. From the smoky beer halls of Munich to the alternative collectives of Berlin and the maritime traditions of Hamburg, each city offers a unique perspective on the country’s evolving plant-based movement. While Germany has long been associated with meat-heavy dishes – think bratwurst, schnitzel, and sauerbraten – its culinary identity is anything but singular. Instead, it’s a patchwork of cultural influences shaped by history, geography, and economy, and the plant-based movement is only gaining momentum in the region.
A 2024 German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture survey found that only 23% of German people say they eat meat daily, with 10% opting for vegetarian and vegan meat alternatives daily. [1]This decline in daily meat consumption signals a broader shift in dietary habits: per capita meat consumption in 2023 was 51.6 kg, a 12% decrease from 2019. [2]Meanwhile, plant-based meat production has more than doubled over five years, with the German market for plant-based food reaching nearly €2 billion. [2][3]
The motivation behind the rise of plant-based eating also helps reveal deeper German values. A 2024 survey conducted for the Federal Association of the German Retail Grocery Trade (BVLH) found that 62% of respondents cited climate benefits as a key reason for choosing plant-based products, 52% highlighted animal welfare, and 51% believed that plant-based eating is simply healthier. [4]