Around 89% of Poles consume meat at least a few times a week, a new study has shown.
Although in recent years meat consumption in Poland has fallen, as in much of Europe, the research published by Kantar Polska and BLIX Group reveals that meat is still an important item on the menu of Poles.
The nationwide study showed that nearly four out of ten respondents usually consumed a meat product two to three times a week.
While every third person does it even four to six times.
On the other hand, only 10% of respondents do not eat meat at all.
Jacek Zarzecki, president of the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Breeders and Producers, said: “This results should not be surprising, Polish society is used to the presence of meat in the daily diet.”
The study also showed that the way and frequency of eating meat was influenced by the circumstances.
Poles do it mainly on special occasions, during outdoor meetings and at home.
They do it less often in restaurants, which is a choice often driven by price according to Zarzecki.
Marcin Lenkiewicz, an expert on the retail market from the BLIX Group, said: “The fact that the respondents consume meat in different amounts and with different frequency may indicate a tendency to limit its consumption. Yet 18% of respondents admit to eating meat every day. This means that there is still a significant group of consumers for whom it is the basis of their diet.”
Despite the fact that the market of meat substitutes in Poland is developing, it is still far from meat competition.
Currently, Poland’s meat market value is estimated at as much as PLN 77 billion, while the meat substitutes sector, according to various data, ranges from PLN 600 to 900 million.
Talking about types of meat preferences, respondents indicated that they consumed poultry the most.
A staggering 78% prefer it, followed by a 40% of pork fans, but the actual sales indicate that pork appears more on the tables.
Other types are not as popular with Polish palate such as fish and seafood (17%) and beef, which is only consumed the most by 9% of people.
The relatively low consumption of beef may be influenced by its higher price compared to poultry or pork, which indicates that it is treated as a premium product. (PAP/Business World Magazine)