Meat consumption decreases to 67% of Brazilians in 2022, shows research

The consumption of beef, pork, chicken and fish fell by 67% among Brazilians in 2022, compared to the previous year, with the impact of higher product prices and the search for healthy habits, which include greater adoption of proteins plant origin, according to a survey released on Monday (12).

The survey carried out by The Good Food Institute Brasil (GFI Brasil) also indicated that, of the total number of consumers who reduced meat in their diet, 47% intend to reduce even more in 2023.

The number of 67% identified in the survey represents an increase of 17 percentage points compared to the previous calculation by GFI Brasil on the subject, carried out in 2020.

“The perception that Brazilians are more concerned about their health and that they seek to incorporate healthier options into their daily lives; the predominance of a diet focused on reducing rather than completely eliminating animal products; and the increasingly frequent use of alternative vegetable proteins to replace animal products” were some of the results, said the survey.

The increase in the price of meat was what motivated 45% of Brazilians to reduce their consumption. For another 36%, this reduction was motivated by health-related issues, such as improving digestion, lowering cholesterol or losing weight.

More than half (52%) of Brazilians reduced their meat consumption in the last 12 months by choice, according to the analysis.

In this case, the reasons are associated with concern for animals and the environment, family influence, and religious and spiritual reasons.

In addition, practically two out of three consumers (65%) consume some vegetable alternative (vegetables, grains, fruits) to replace animal products at least once a week, while in 2020 this percentage was 59%.