December 20, 2011

Finns will consume 74.2 kilogrammes of meat per person in 2011, slightly higher as compared to 2010 at 72.8 kilogrammes.

According to Gallup Food and Farm Facts, consumption in Finland is about 80% of the average in Europe. The increase in meat consumption is an indication that Finns now value basic ingredients and genuine products more and more, says Managing Director Anne Kallinen of Gallup.

In addition, the low-carb diet trend has increased consumption of products of animal origin. The popularity of pork has increased more than that of other meats in 2011. According to Gallup Food and Farm Facts, the health-related image of pork has improved, among other things, because of the rapeseed pork developed by Finnish food industry company HK Ruokatalo.

According to Director General Pekka Puska of the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the increase in meat consumption is an indication of an increase in the standard of living. The trend can be turned around by either a recession or a change in attitudes. Ethical and ecological reasons are the most important factors in attitude changes.