Vegi food experts are expecting a real boom

Vegi Food Experts Expect a True Boom

02/01/2015

Vegetarian and vegan foods are becoming more and more popular in Germany. Experts are even expecting a veritable boom. Such diets have long since left their niche existence and have become so-called "mainstream". Also for health reasons, there are many reasons to eat vegetarian food.

Health conscious consumers with little time
Vegetarian burgers, soybeans or tofu sausages: Vegetarian and vegan ready meals have long since left their exile at the organic food store and are now to be found alongside conventional products in supermarkets. The food industry has discovered the health-conscious consumer with little time for meat-free ready-made and half-finished dishes, the news agency dpa reports. "The demand for vegetarian foods has changed completely. Not only people with high income are buying it. This is a cross section of the company, "said Denise Klug, an analyst at the retail information service Planet Retail to the agency." Sales will continue to rise at the beginning of this year. Because over the holidays, many have thought about their diet. "

Enormous growth in meatless products
According to the report, the market for meatless products in Germany can boast impressive growth figures. Accordingly, so-called half-ready meals, which can be prepared quickly, such as falafel, soy-schnitzel or risotto, find a lot of demand. According to the Vegetarian Association of Germany (Vebu), sales of these products alone rose by 36 percent from the first half of 2013 to the first half of 2014, to 50.4 million euros. According to the information, large food suppliers also decided to increase their assortment in the summer. Although the Vebu does not yet have figures, an annual turnover that hits the 100 million mark is expected.

"The trend towards vegan products will continue in 2015"
Significant growth is also indicated by various statements by the trade. Aldi-Süd explained on request of the agency: "The vegetarian assortment is well received. Overall, we are seeing an increasing demand. "However, numbers were not mentioned. Aldi-Nord is examining an expansion of the assortment. "We are watching the market and the trends around the vegetarian and vegan diet very closely," said a spokeswoman. Since Edeka is seeing a steadily growing demand for vegetarian and vegan products, it is planned to expand its range. "Particularly in the metropolitan areas, demand has risen sharply in recent years." Fabian Ganz, Sales Manager at the market research company for organic retailers and health food retailers, Biovista, emphasizes: "The trend towards vegan products will continue in 2015 as well. We see that the activities of the manufacturers are clearly going in this direction. "

Casual vegetarians in the sights of the trade
Vebu spokeswoman Stephanie Stragies says: "The companies are currently the drivers of meat-free diet." Because they made sure that many different products without meat in many places are simply available. "It makes life easier for vegetarians. And the new placement also brings people to it who are not pure vegetarians. "Analyst Klug's assessment goes in the same direction. The trade is trying, according to their observation, to open up the buyer group of occasional vegetarians. "People are targeted who are flexitarians."

Almost 12 percent of Germans are flexitarians
Flexitarians, a bit of a hippy term for occasional vegetarians, value healthy food, but avoid meat or fish, but not continuously. The food trade sees in them a great potential. More than one in ten (11.6 percent of respondents) described themselves in a representative study by the Universities of Hohenheim and Göttingen from the summer of 2013 as an occasional vegetarian. According to the information, they eat only a little and then very selected meat or sausage only for three to four out of 21 meals a week. Flexitarians also often resort to the meatless imitations of meaty classics, as well as to semi-prepared meals. According to the study, about a quarter (24.8 percent) of Germans eat vegan, vegetarian, are part-time vegetarians or constantly strive to reduce meat consumption.

Health reasons for vegetarian diet
Vegetarian diet does not have to be fundamentally expensive, according to analyst Klug. Vegetables and spaghetti are also meat-free: "You just have to be able to cook," says the expert. If you are looking for ideas for delicious vegan or vegetarian recipes, you can find them on the internet. For health reasons, many reasons for a meat-free diet. Various scientific studies have concluded that a vegetarian and balanced diet can reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. In addition, many vegetarians have better blood pressure and are less likely to be overweight or obese. (Ad)