Meer vlees verkocht via supermarkt en slager in 2020

The Dutch government’s coronavirus measures have had a marked impact on the volume of fresh meat sold at supermarkets and butchers. Compared to 2019, there was an increase in the amount of meat sold through the retail channel in 2020. Meat products also showed a slight increase.

Household volume in kilograms * 1000

The biggest change concerns the evening meal at home, meat served during the main meal has driven up demand at supermarkets and butchers. The enduring popularity of chicken – the biggest riser at 8% – supports this suggestion, as does the marked increase in demand for beef. If people cannot eat meat outside the home, demand for more expensive pieces of beef increases. The coronavirus measures on meat consumption outside the home had a much more modest impact on pork: at almost 3%, the increase is the smallest of the three.

Growth rates

The difference between 2018 and 2019 showed a slight decline in sales figures in most cases, the difference between 2019 and 2020 shows growth across the board. The only decrease is a relative one: the proportion of meat products compared to meat decreased. 

Calculations point to a reduction

The researchers still suspect that 2020, a year dominated by the coronavirus, will eventually show a decline in the total amount of meat consumed. We will know more in due course. In any case, the expected shift of meat purchases from the catering industry to butchers and supermarkets as a result of the coronavirus pandemic has already taken place.

wur.nl