German Meat Companies Seek To Invest In Non-Meat Alternatives

There is an interesting move towards alternative protein sources from non-meat products in Germany. Livestock in Germany look like they are all set to get some relief from getting butchered, according to Mercy for Animals.

Hence, German meat companies seem to be adopting "more animal-friendly products", even after changes in consumer attitudes. A study conducted in June, for instance, threw up some conclusions that young German consumers seem to be showing a lot of interest in animal welfare.

The study also showed that up to 15 percent of those who took the study, aged 16 to 24 years, considered themselves vegetarian. Moreover, 18 percent in that range also said that they tend to look out for "meat alternatives when shopping for food", reported Food Navigator.

Even employees in the meat industry seem to be adopting that stance.

Hence, the director of Rugenwalder Muhle, a German meat giant, said in an interview to a German publication  that sausages are the "cigarette of the future," while he would want to see non-meat products representing 30 percent of the company's sales by 2019.

The preference for non-meat products is already touching other countries. Hence, one in eight shoppers in the U.K. replace their meat products with vegetable protein, as long as such alternatives are available, according to HNGN.