Understanding meat and fish consumption: Socio-demographic and value insights from five European countries

Diana Kmeťková, Milan Ščasný, Iva Zverinova and Vojtěch Máca
Additional contact information
Diana Kmeťková: Institute of Economic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Milan Ščasný: Environment Centre, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Vojtěch Máca: Environment Centre, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Agricultural Economics, 2025, vol. 71, issue 7, 394-409

Abstract: Current dietary patterns in developed countries, characterised by high intakes of processed and animal-source foods, are linked to increased obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases, as well as environmental burdens. This paper investigates determinants of red meat, white meat, and fish consumption across five European countries, using representative survey data from over 10 000 individuals. Our findings reveal that men consume more red meat and fish than women, though, when adjusted for body weight, women consume significantly more white meat and fish. While vegetarians are mostly people younger than 35 years, meat eaters in the same age category tend to eat more red meat than older people. Cross-country differences highlight the need for localised policy approaches. Individual values also shape dietary choices. Security-oriented people prefer red meat, while altruistic individuals consume less of it. Biospheric values, while strongly associated with being vegetarian, show no significant association with meat or fish intake. To reduce red meat consumption, policies should highlight health benefits of eating less meat, with messages tailored to specific demographic groups. Additionally, enhancing meat alternatives' affordability, taste, and appearance is essential for promoting dietary shifts.

Keywords: demographic determinants; meat intake; sustainable diet; values; vegetarians (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://agricecon.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/348/2024-AGRICECON.html (text/html)
http://agricecon.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/348/2024-AGRICECON.pdf (application/pdf)
free of charge

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlage:v:71:y:2025:i:7:id:348-2024-agricecon

DOI: 10.17221/348/2024-AGRICECON

Access Statistics for this article

Agricultural Economics is currently edited by Ing. Zdeňka Náglová Ph.D.

More articles in Agricultural Economics from Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Ivo Andrle ().