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Cross-Cultural Comparison between German, French and Dutch Consumer Preferences for Meat Substitutes

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  • Ramona Weinrich

    (Management in Agribusiness, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
    Centre of Biodiversity and sustainable Land Use, University of Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany)

Abstract

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration for consumers when purchasing food. As meat production has a significant impact on the environment, meat substitutes are becoming more and more popular in Europe. However, consumers who regularly buy meat substitutes are still the exception. Although there are some initial results indicating why this proportion is still low, most research has been concentrated in the Netherlands. This paper aims to compare reasons for consuming or not consuming meat substitutes in three European countries—Germany, the Netherlands and France. As very little is known about the underlying reasons, an explorative approach was chosen. Focus group discussions were carried out in all three countries, six altogether. The results show that all participants can enumerate meat substitutes. The main reason for not consuming meat substitutes is the taste of meat. Further, eating habits seem to be fixed and convenience might also be an impediment to reducing meat consumption in favour of meat substitutes, as is confusion regarding healthy eating.

Suggested Citation

  • Ramona Weinrich, 2018. "Cross-Cultural Comparison between German, French and Dutch Consumer Preferences for Meat Substitutes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:6:p:1819-:d:149953
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert B. Gibson, 2006. "Beyond The Pillars: Sustainability Assessment As A Framework For Effective Integration Of Social, Economic And Ecological Considerations In Significant Decision-Making," Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 8(03), pages 259-280.
    2. Muriel C. D. Verain & Siet J. Sijtsema & Hans Dagevos & Gerrit Antonides, 2017. "Attribute Segmentation and Communication Effects on Healthy and Sustainable Consumer Diet Intentions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-19, May.
    3. Apostolidis, Chrysostomos & McLeay, Fraser, 2016. "Should we stop meating like this? Reducing meat consumption through substitution," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 74-89.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ramona Weinrich, 2019. "Opportunities for the Adoption of Health-Based Sustainable Dietary Patterns: A Review on Consumer Research of Meat Substitutes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-15, July.
    2. Germano Glufke Reis & Marina Sucha Heidemann & Katherine Helena Oliveira de Matos & Carla Forte Maiolino Molento, 2020. "Cell-Based Meat and Firms’ Environmental Strategies: New Rationales as per Available Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-16, November.
    3. repec:ags:aaea22:335681 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Louis-Georges Soler & Alban Thomas, 2020. "Is there a win–win scenario with increased beef quality and reduced consumption?," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, Springer, vol. 101(1), pages 91-116, October.
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    6. Alban Thomas, 2020. "Is there a win-win scenario with both limited beef production and reduced beef consumption?," Working Papers hal-02790948, HAL.
    7. Annika Lonkila & Minna Kaljonen, 2021. "Promises of meat and milk alternatives: an integrative literature review on emergent research themes," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(3), pages 625-639, September.
    8. Weinrich, Ramona & Gassler, Birgit, 2021. "Beyond classical van Westendorp: Assessing price sensitivity for variants of algae-based meat substitutes," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    9. van der Meer, M. & Schruff-Lim, E.M. & Onwezen, M.C. & Fischer, A.R.H., 2025. "“Planting†meat substitutes in the meat shelf: An online and two supermarket field experiments to explore the effect of placing meat substitutes next to meat," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    10. David Kilian & Ulrich Hamm, 2021. "Perceptions of Vegan Food among Organic Food Consumers Following Different Diets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-17, August.

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