Meat consumption and flexitarianism in the Low Countries.

Area of Science:

• Food science and nutrition
• Consumer behavior studies
• Sustainable food systems analysis

Background:

• Meat consumption is a significant topic due to environmental and health concerns.
• Understanding meat consumption trends is crucial for policy-making and the protein transition.
• The Netherlands and Belgium provide a relevant case study for Western European meat consumption patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review trends in meat consumption in the Netherlands and Belgium from 2010-2020.
• To compare meat consumption data from household purchasing and supply balance sheets.
• To assess the impact of flexitarianism and consumer intentions on meat reduction.

Main Methods:

• Narrative descriptive review of meat consumption data.
• Analysis of household panel purchasing data.
• Analysis of supply balance sheet data for proxy indicators.

Main Results:

• Netherlands shows stable meat consumption via supply data, but a slight decrease via household data.
• Belgium shows a steady decline in meat consumption based on household data (>1 kg/capita/year).
• Both countries report increasing flexitarianism and intentions to reduce meat, but actual behavioral change lags.

Conclusions:

• Meat reduction calls resonate more in attitudes than in actual dietary shifts.
• Methodological differences pose challenges for cross-country comparisons and monitoring the protein transition.
• The dominant meat-eating culture remains prevalent in the Low Countries despite emerging trends.