Listen to the full episode of this Vegan Bytes podcast episode here:
https://veganbytes.podbean.com/e/austria-s-green-shift-boom-in-veganism-and-flexitarianism/
FULL TRANSCRIPT:
Welcome to Vegan Bytes, the podcast that brings you the latest in vegan news, trends, and insights. Today, we're talking about a seismic shift in Austria's dietary landscape.
Picture this: You're strolling through the streets of Vienna, and instead of the traditional Wiener Schnitzel, you're seeing more vegan schnitzel on the menu. That's right, folks! Austria is leading the way in veganism, with the vegan population rising from 3% to 5% since 2021.
But it's not just about the vegans. Over half of Austrians are reducing their meat intake. Imagine a scale, with meat on one side and plant-based foods on the other. The scale is tipping, and it's tipping towards the greens.
And it's not just the millennials and Gen Z leading the charge. From boomers to Gen X, people are recognizing themselves as flexitarians. That's right, folks! Flexitarianism is the new black in Austria.
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room - or should we say, the cow in the room? The Austrian plant-based market is booming, with 32% of respondents consuming plant-based milk every week. But there's a catch. The price tag. 38% of Austrians find plant-based products too expensive.
But don't worry, the cavalry is here. BILLA Austria, a supermarket chain, is offering discounts on its vegan brand, Vegavita, to reach price-parity with animal products. They've even opened a new superstore featuring an area called “PFLANZILLA Welt”, dedicated entirely to plant-based products.
So, what's the takeaway here? The plant-based food market in Europe is growing, and confidence in meat-free alternatives is increasing. The omnivorous diet is becoming increasingly unpopular.
So, whether you're a vegan enthusiast, a vegan business owner, or an animal rights activist, remember this: The future is green, and it's delicious.
That's all for today's episode of Vegan Bytes. Stay tuned for more vegan news, trends, and insights. And remember, every bite counts.