German meat sector warns of rising protein demand
VDF calls for policy support amid sustainability push
17 February 2026
1 minute read
By: Global population growth and rising prosperity are expected to increase demand for animal protein by around 20% by 2050 compared to 2020, Dominik Wisser of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) said at the Parliamentary Evening of the Association of the Meat Industry (VDF) in Berlin.
“Animal proteins must make a significant contribution to a balanced and healthy diet,” Wisser said.
“If this growing demand is to be sustainably covered at the same time with falling climate gas emissions, improved efficiency in animal husbandry with animal health, targeted breeding progress and improved feed quality are the central adjusting screws,” he added.
In a recent news release, the VDF said Germany is fundamentally well positioned as a livestock production location to meet the challenges of growing and sustainable meat production.
“Animal husbandry and meat production in Germany are particularly climate-efficient and meet high standards of animal welfare,” said Martin Müller, CEO of the VDF. “However, we now need to set the course in order to remain competitive with these high standards.”
From the association’s perspective, this includes practical licensing regulations, a well-funded federal support program for animal husbandry and rapid implementation of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s agricultural export strategy.
According to the VDF, efforts in recent years to reduce animal husbandry in Germany have proven misguided in the global context. The association said a strong domestic livestock and meat sector is necessary to avoid so-called carbon leakage and the loss of German expertise in animal husbandry, meat production and whole-animal marketing.
“It’s good that the federal government is changing course here,” Müller said.
The Parliamentary Evening of the Association of the Meat Industry was held Jan. 28, 2026, in Berlin. The event brought together representatives of the federal government, the Bundestag, state governments and the meat industry to discuss current and future developments in the global food sector.
