Animal Welfare Initiative GmbH, the organization responsible for the animal husbandry labeling system in Germany, has published its final figures for 2024. The data show the distribution of products across five husbandry levels and allow for comparison with the previous year.
The published statistics confirm a clear trend toward higher animal welfare standards. In particular, the turkey meat segment shows a significant shift from husbandry level 2 to level 3, with an increase of 13.3%. This indicates a gradual transition by producers to practices with higher welfare requirements for poultry.
In pig production, husbandry level 2 remains consistently high. Its share accounts for 75.2% of sales at service counters and 86.3% on self-service shelves, pointing to a strong presence of products meeting baseline enhanced welfare requirements.
At the same time, a new level 5 — organic production — was introduced in 2024. It has already secured a notable market share: 14.1% in beef, 12.8% in milk, and 7.7% in dairy products.
The figures are based on sales volumes of private-label brands from participating retail chains. They indicate a stable trend: German retailers are steadily expanding their range of products aligned with higher animal welfare standards.
Experts note that this dynamic reflects both changing consumer preferences and the strategic adaptation of retailers and producers to stricter animal welfare requirements in the EU.
PigUA.info based on euromeatnews.com