From the economic and social consequences of food production and processing to the socio-cultural effects of food consumption, an improvement in the food system can only be expected if an integrated, holistic linking of agricultural, nutritional and socio-economic expertise is successful. This expertise is available and also required in Lower Saxony, as the intensity of plant and animal production of agricultural raw materials in Lower Saxony is at a high level by European standards. Approximately 2,661,000 tons of wheat, approx. 4,100,000 tons of potatoes, approx. 6,900,000 tons of milk and approx. 1,885,000 tons of meat are produced per year by around 35,500 farms on an area of almost 50,000 km2 (agricultural area: approx. 26,000 km2). This corresponds to almost 950,000 tons of protein, almost 700,000 tons of fat and approx. 2.5 million tons of carbohydrates per year, which would be sufficient to supply more than 23 million people. For further processing, more than 700 companies from all sectors of the food industry are located in Lower Saxony and employ around 80,000 people. This makes the agri-food sector the second largest employer after the automotive industry and therefore of great importance for this largely rural state.
Due to competition from other European countries (often with lower animal welfare and environmental standards), trade barriers and changing social expectations and requirements (including animal welfare and environmental impact), the growth cycle in this country has come to an end for large parts of animal protein and fat production. As a result, the marketability of animal proteins will decrease, driven by discussions about animal welfare, sustainability and health aspects. This applies to meat and meat products as well as various dairy products and is fueled by the increasing availability of analog products of vegetarian or vegan origin. The availability, quality and safety of alternative proteins are therefore of great importance.
The Lower Saxony Nutrition Strategy (2021) highlighted the following need for action in view of the expected increased demand for plant-based protein-rich foods: “In order to enable a more plant-based diet based on regional raw materials, the cultivation of plant-based protein sources must be increased in Lower Saxony. To this end, research, experimentation and advice will be intensified and marketing improved so that agricultural raw materials can be produced and processed in Lower Saxony in line with demand”. However, the direct substitution of protein imports (e.g. soy) with the direct production of field beans, feed peas or soybeans in Lower Saxony must currently be critically questioned due to the associated displacement of highly productive cereal cultivation.
However, the transformation process will continue, as agricultural businesses involved in the processing industry as well as slaughtering, cutting and processing plants will be affected by a decline in demand for animal protein. Despite the expected decline in animal numbers, animal proteins and fats will continue to be consumed in the future. Where, to what extent and how they are produced will depend on the economic and political framework conditions. However, in view of the Green Deal and in particular the sustainability criteria enshrined therein, the degree of freedom in animal husbandry will decrease and it will be important to market the costs associated with reducing the footprint via correspondingly higher-priced products.