Germany Plant-Based Meat Market Overview, 2026

Germany is one of the fastest and second biggest plant based meat market where the people are willing to pay a higher price for plant based meat products; and around 26% people are ready to pay high price for the plant based meat. As they become aware of the nutritional benefits that can be taken from plant-based meat in recent times, they may consider the switch. And also, due to COVID-19, the consumers' preferences changed from conventional meat to plant-based meat. According to the research, Germany produced less meat and more of the conventional kind. The conventional meat production in the Germany fell around 4% in 2020, which is around $46.8 billion whereas the substitute of conventional meat product showed the rise in demand to around 39%.

According to the report title “Germany Plant-based Meat Market Overview, 2026” the plant based meat market in Germany is expected to grow over 18% during the forecast period ending 2026. The market grew historically by 429% as compared to the historic year 2015 with the vegan food trend. Plant-based meat product sales skyrocketed during the COVID pandemic as consumers wanted to avoid any animal origin product. The pandemic raised consumer awareness of the nutritional benefits that plant-based meat can provide.This changing behaviour of German consumers also changed the facts and figures of the German meat market. After the breakdown of COVID-19, animal-based meat production fell by around 4%, and around 26% of the population were ready to spend more on plant-based meat. Germans eat a lot of chicken, so plant-based chicken products are the most popular on the market.

Soy is the main source of plant-based meat used widely in Germany to make plant-based meat products as it is easily procured by manufacturing companies. It is familiar with the processes and execution of soy as an important ingredient. Quinoa and oats, on the other hand, are two other types of plant sources that have recently gained attention from manufacturers as consumers demand variety.Soy’s allergenicity and wheat’s gluten are the major restraining factors for their decreasing market share as the preferred choice of producers nowadays. As Europeans love burgers, so do Germans, who find eating a plant-based burger the most cost-effective and easy-to-substitute product for animal meat. However, other snacks like plant-based meatballs, chips, and deli are increasingly tried by consumers. Consumers now opt for a healthy snacking option as there are many choices and they have become more focused on health. Unlike other countries, Germany has a comparatively larger share in retail sales of these products as they prefer to cook at home and it also proves to be cost effective. Eating out in hotels, restaurants serve plant-based meat menus at a higher price.

German schnitzels and sausages are world famous, but with plant-based meat overpowering the demands and change in consumer attitudes, it is becoming sidelined. More than 35 Million Germans abstain from animal meat in some or other form. The German marketplace for plant-based meat consists of traditional vendors, local companies, new start-ups, and international players too. Also, with government initiatives and proposing a plant-based meat diet to its citizens, the market's future growth is expected to grow robustly over the forecast period. Other major factors are animal love and environmental benefits that help reduce carbon and GHG gases.

The changing tastes of consumers in Germany have led to the inclusion of plant-based meat in several hotels and restaurants in the last five years. According to Happy Cow, there are over 900 vegetarian restaurants, out of which at least 300 serve only vegan meals. Berlin, in Germany, is a fast-growing start-up hub, attracting many professionals from all over the world. Nearly, a quarter of the countries vegan and 15% vegetarian restaurants can be found here. The growing numbers of vegans and flexitarians are driving the demand for burgers, sausages, and chicken alternatives. Beyond Meat was the first to sell plant-based meat burgers through Lidl’s stores and they were sold out in no time. The German market is growing rapidly, with ever increasing demand from consumers.

A famous meat processing company, Rugenwalder Muhle, that was founded in the 19th century, started selling vegan products in 2014. By 2018, they saw a 50% rise in sales of vegan meat products and sold more than animal products. Local suppliers usually make plant-based meat products from soy or wheat. German-based start-up Terra Vegane, backed by retailer Aldi, made an entry into the market. These new players are trying out new substitutes like maize, peas, vegetables, jackfruit, seeds, beans, or lupins to replace animal meat. The major retailers also jumped into the bandwagon of producing plant-based meat products, with the most affluent example being Lidl, who introduced Next Level Burgers in Germany.

Considered in this report

• Geography: Germany
• Base year: 2020
• Estimated year: 2021
• Forecast year: 2026

Aspects covered in this report

• Germany plant based meat products market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Five force models
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By source

• Soy
• Pea
• Wheat
• Others (Quinoa, oats, nuts etc.)

Types of meat products

• Burger Pattie
• Sausages
• Strips & Nuggets
• Meatballs
• Others

By type

• Beef
• Chicken
• Pork
• Fish
• Other (Lamb, Turkey)

By end-user

• Retail
• HoReCa

The approach of the report

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analysing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to plant based meat industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.