In terms of meat consumption, Poles are among the leaders of the European Union. They eat an average of 73.2 kg of meat per person per year, while the European average is 67.9 kg. Most Poles (89 %) eat meat more than once a week, according to the report ‘What, how much and how do we eat? The state of the meat market in Poland in 2023″.

In addition, the structure of meat consumption in Poland stands out compared to the European Union (but also OECD countries). Poles are almost twice as likely to eat pork as poultry. Beef, on the other hand, is consumed only occasionally. Such choices are determined by price and the ease of meal preparation.

The authors of the report, experts from the auditing company PwC, believe that meat consumption per capita in Poland will decline slightly in the medium term. And in 2027, it will reach 72.7 kg of meat per person per year.

In the short term, meat consumption in Poland is expected to increase, driven by an increase in affluence, while in the long term, market saturation is expected to translate into a slow decline in meat consumption.

According to specialists, the increase in Poles’ affluence will also translate into changes in the types of meat chosen – the share of beef, which currently constitutes only a small percentage of consumption, will increase. The change in dietary preferences will also involve a more frequent choice of poultry and a partial resignation from pork.

“These changes will lead to a redistribution of meat types consumed, thus making Polish consumers more similar to those in Western countries with a similar culinary tradition (e.g. Germany)”, PwC estimates.

Approximately 7% of respondents limit their consumption of meat and animal products. This is most often true for residents of Poland’s largest cities with a relatively good financial situation. 4 % of adult Poles do not eat meat. Most people on a vegetarian diet are young students.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński