Vegamonitor: 'Will eating less meat become standard?'

More and more Dutch people indicate that they will be eating less meat in the next five years, and people more often think that eating less meat will become the standard in the Netherlands, according to the recently published Vegamonitor of Natuur & Milieu (Nature & Environment)

The annual Vegamonitor conducted by Kien Onderzoek provides insight into, among other things, the meat consumption of the Dutchman and maps out the attitude of the Dutch towards vegetarian food. The survey was conducted among 1064 Dutch people aged 16 and over. Vakblad Voedingsindustrie gives a small summary.

Majority of Dutch people see themselves as carnivores

Despite the many studies that eating less meat is better for the environment, almost six out of ten Dutch people characterise themselves as carnivores. One third of the Dutch population consciously skips meat one or more days a week and thus labels themselves as a flexitarian. The percentage of vegetarians (2%), pescotarians (2%) and vegans (<1%) is still minimal.

Eating meat every day is outdated

Nearly half of those surveyed indicated that eating meat is no longer a modern affair. Six out of ten have the feeling that eating less meat will become the standard in the Netherlands. Half of them indicate that if meat were 50% more expensive, they would take smaller portions or use alternatives more often. Three out of ten Dutch people think that meat is too expensive, while a fifth thinks it is too cheap. 

Four out of ten Dutch people think they will eat less meat in the future

Four out of ten Dutch people think that in the next five years there will be a movement towards vegetable/vegan food. Half of the interviewees think that there will be more vegetarian restaurants in the Netherlands, at the moment that number is still very small. In addition, a quarter indicate that they expect the number of vegetarians in the Netherlands to double within the next five years. Of all respondents, 62% said that eating less meat will become the norm, compared to 52% last year.