More and more people are eating exclusively vegetarian food

On October 1st is World Vegetarian Day: The veggie movement continues to grow
Once again this year, the International World Vegetarian Day will be celebrated on the 1st of October. For the first time, the day took place in 1977 for the World Vegetarian Congress in Scotland. ProVeg (formerly the vegetarian alliance Germany) gives an overview of the current developments of the veggie movement.

The plant life has long since arrived in the middle of society. A total of 8 million people in Germany are vegetarians, that is more than 10 percent of the population *. According to a survey conducted by the market research institute Skopos, 1.3 million people in Germany also live vegan. Just three years ago, it was 900,000. The reason for this growth: The benefits of a plant-based diet are increasingly becoming public awareness.

Vegetarian sausages, burgers and schnitzel are growing in popularity. However, one should only enjoy the plant alternatives in moderation, experts advise. (Image: PhotoSG / fotolia.com)

The opinion research institute Nielsen recently found out that as many as 31 percent of Germans consciously eat less meat. "A herbal lifestyle is the solution to many of the world's most pressing problems. More and more consumers are recognizing the benefits of a plant-based diet for the animals, the environment and their own health. The growing range of tasty vegetarian products makes it easier for them to make their diet more plant-based and thus more sustainable. ProVeg is aimed at anyone who is interested in the vegetarian-vegan diet and is committed to making it accessible to as many people as possible as an attractive alternative, "explains Sebastian Joy, ProVeg CEO.

Vegetarian cuisine: an example of delicious food without giving up!

Meat consumption: 8 kilograms less than 20 years ago
Meat consumption in Germany has been declining for years. With a per capita consumption of 60 kilograms in 2016, the amount has decreased by about one kilogram compared to the previous year. Within the last 20 years, the amount has even dropped by 8 kilograms. Above all, pork was consumed significantly less in 2016 than in previous years. Since 2011, pork consumption in Germany has fallen by 10 percent **. With a growing number of vegetarian, vegan and flexitarian people, meat production will continue to decline in the future.

Veggie products: 686 million euros turnover in 2016
More and more companies are offering innovative herbal products, which are exactly what consumers want. According to Mintel, the number of product launches with vegetarian claims in Germany has more than doubled in the past five years, from 3 percent in 2012 to 7 percent in 2016. According to market research institute Nielsen, sales of vegetarian products increased Food retail products in 2016 to 686 million euros. That is an increase in sales of 19 percent compared to the previous year. "Vegetable foods have become indispensable on the shelves of supermarkets and discounters. Consumers can now choose from a wide selection of veggie products. In order to give young entrepreneurs an opportunity in the growing market, ProVeg Start-up offers special workshops for vegan-vegetarian companies, "says Joy.

More and more people are vegetarians or vegans.

Gastronomy: 616 vegetarian restaurants in Germany
Also in the catering the vegan trend has arrived. According to the GV Barometer 2017, a diverse range of vegetarian products is one of the most important trends in the gastronomy of the future. More and more guests want healthy vegetable dishes on the menu. A total of 58 percent of restaurateurs assume that vegetarian food will continue to gain importance. In large and medium-sized cities in Germany, there are currently at least 616 purely vegetarian catering establishments. That is almost a double compared to the previous year. Berlin is a clear pioneer with 193 purely vegetarian restaurants and cafes. But other cities also offer many opportunities to try vegetarian dishes. In the ProVeg restaurant database, consumers can easily find restaurants in their area.

V-Label provides orientation when shopping
For those who want to eat vegetarian or vegan food or reduce their meat consumption, ProVeg offers the V label. The V-Label is an internationally protected quality seal for the labeling of vegetarian and vegan foods. Consumers can see at a glance which products are vegetarian or vegan, and consciously opt for the more sustainable option. The criteria of the V label also include that not only the ingredients but also the excipients used in the production are not of animal origin. This offers consumers more security and transparency when shopping.

Increase in vegan / vegetarian restaurants.

VEBU becomes ProVeg
The Vegetarian Federation Germany is now active under the new name ProVeg. ProVeg is the first international nutrition organization committed to the plant's lifestyle. "By founding ProVeg, we are networking stakeholders and stakeholders around the world, promoting the exchange of experiences, and giving the veggie movement a strong unified voice. In order to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable diet and lifestyle, ProVeg works together with important multipliers from politics, business and the media, "explains Joy.