Week Without Meat & Dairy more impactful than ever

1 in 5 Dutch people (19%) took part in the fifth edition of the National Week Without Meat & Dairy 2022. This is the highest number of participants since the start of the annual campaign in 2018. New this year was the addition of '& Dairy'. The broad participation was clearly reflected in the sales figures of the supermarkets: for example, the sale of meat substitutes more than doubled compared to an average week.  

Sales of meat substitutes doubled 

Almost 9 million Dutch people (63%) have seen or heard about the campaign. They mainly came into contact with the initiative through supermarket flyers and special offers. Sales in volume of meat replacement products increased during the week by 108.5% compared to an average week in 2022. In addition, meat sales in volume terms during the campaign week were 8.4% lower than an average week. 

Positive impact throughout the year 

The campaign was supported by 80 partners this year. Not only during the week, but also in the long term, the campaign ensures a positive impact on the climate. Approximately three quarters (73%) of the participants in the National Week Without Meat & Dairy say they plan to eat or drink less dairy. When it comes to cutting down on meat, the percentage is even higher: 87%.  

Addition of '& Dairy 

During the 2022 edition, attention was paid to dairy products in addition to meat consumption for the first time. Over a third of the Dutch (38%) had a positive attitude towards the addition of dairy. Half of the participants in the week took on the additional challenge of leaving dairy out for a week. Sales in volume of plant-based dairy alternatives increased during the week by 28% compared to an average week in 2022.

Weekzondervlees.nl