Meat Consumption is Down 6% in France

France has experienced a notable decrease in per capita meat consumption, which has declined by nearly 6% over the past two decades. Despite this, the current dietary practices still exceed the national guidelines. In 2023, French citizens consumed an average of 83.5 kg of meat per person, a significant drop from 2003.

The decline is particularly evident in beef consumption, which fell by 19% from 26.3 kg per person in 2003 to 21.3 kg in 2023. Similarly, pork consumption has also reached its lowest levels in 20 years. Conversely, the intake of poultry, especially chicken, has seen a substantial rise, now accounting for 28% of total meat consumption compared to 14% in 2003.

To meet the increasing demand for poultry, France has turned to imports, with half of all chicken consumed being sourced from abroad. Despite this, overall meat imports decreased by 1.4% year-on-year, making up about 30% of the country’s meat consumption.

The French Nutrition Society (SFN) has advocated for reducing meat consumption by 25% to align with dietary recommendations and environmental goals. Such a reduction, paired with an increased intake of plant-based foods, could significantly lower France’s agricultural emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.

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