The environmental and ethical impact of the global food system is becoming increasingly clear, and recent initiatives, such as that some leading German supermarkets decided to match plant-based products prices with meat counterparts[1], represent a significant shift towards sustainability.
By making plant-based alternatives more affordable, these supermarkets are contributing to spread awareness of the urgent need to reform how we produce and consume food.
But, why are some plant-based products more expensive that their “animal” version?
The higher cost of plant-based alternatives compared to meat products can be traced back to several factors, particularly subsidies that benefit animal agriculture. Government support for meat production distorts market prices, making it difficult for plant-based products to compete on equal terms. Moreover, the influence of meat lobbies has historically suppressed the growth of plant-based sectors, limiting their market reach and the development of favourable public policies[2].
While meat prices benefit from subsidies, the environmental costs of meat production—deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and water depletion—are not reflected in the price consumers pay. This makes meat appear cheaper than it truly is when compared to more sustainable plant-based alternatives. If the environmental damage caused by livestock farming were factored into meat prices, the cost of plant-based foods would likely become more competitive, highlighting the economic and environmental imbalance in today’s food market.
Reducing meat consumption can have a profound impact on the environment and public health. A shift to plant-based diets can lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the strain on land and water resources, and help preserve biodiversity.
Do you want to discover a great plant-based brand that offers all the flavour of the animal products, is produced sustainably and advocates for climate protection and animal rights?
Go check part 2 of the article in our news section!
[1] Link to the original article: https://veganuary.com/german-supermarkets-reduce-prices-plant-based-products
[2] If you want to know more about it, we reccomend you to watch Food for profit, the first documentary to show the thread that links the meat industry, lobbyists and political power.