Meat tube no longer holds the title of most preferred edible item.
It appears that the era of Germans enjoying sausages on their breakfast bread everyday is coming to an end. This year, instead, sweets have emerged as the preferred food group, with individuals in Germany spending an average of 245 euros per head on treats such as chocolate, gummi bears, and pralines. This has pushed sausage off the top spot, which had held the number one position in recent years with an average spend of 235 euros per head.
According to market research firm NIQ, a total of 20.7 billion euros will be spent on sweets nationwide this year. This is a 13% increase compared to the previous year, which is a faster growth rate than for other food categories. Retail expert Filip Vojtech attributes this to higher consumer prices, like those caused by increased cocoa costs, and the growing variety of vegan sweets.
The decline in sausage consumption can be attributed to an increase in vegetarian, vegan, or flexitarian diets, as well as the preference for organic meat, said Vojtech. This category includes fresh sausages from the deli counter along with self-service items. Even sweet and savory baked goods like cookies and chips are included in this category by market researchers.
Following sweets and sausages, dairy products and eggs come in third place with Germans spending an average of 213 euros on them this year. The categories of meat, vegetables, baked goods, cheese, fruit, frozen food, and wine follow. Apart from sweets and baked goods, fruit is the only other food category that shows a significant increase in the top 10 compared to 2023.
These figures are based on consumer purchasing behavior surveys and analyses, with data collected from January to the end of July, and the remaining part of the year estimated and projected based on these findings.
The shift in food preferences has led to a decline in the economy of sausage producers, as Germans now spend less on this traditional staple. Concurrently, the booming sweets industry contributes significantly to the nation's economy, with an anticipated 20.7 billion euros spent this year, representing a 13% increase over the previous year.
