41 percent of all German consumers state as a result that they eat more fresh products today than they did five years ago. In France, only about one third (34 percent) claim this. Especially women (46 percent) and young people (64 percent of under 35 year olds) have a positive attitude towards the consumption of fresh food products in both countries.
The reasons for this vary in both countries. In France, over half of the people who were questioned want to eat healthier (53 percent), followed by the desire to reduce the use of processed products (45 percent). In Germany, one fifth say that they want to treat themselves better (20 percent). One third of German consumers (34 percent) name cooking as the reason for the increased consumption of fresh products. About 15 percent buy more fresh products when these are available at a nearby store.
French spend more, but are displeased with price-quality
Though the Germans buy significantly more fresh food products, the French consumers spend more money on fresh products: Germans spend 131 euros (109 USD) on average, whereas the French pay 182 euros (152 USD) on average. Despite, or perhaps because of, these high expenses, consumers in France feel like they are being tricked by overpriced products. For example, 68 percent think they pay too much for meat. German consumers, however, are largely satisfied with the price-quality ratio of fresh products. More than half (56 percent) find that meat products have exactly the right price.
The fast living lifestyle of today's society has a larger effect on the stomachs of German consumers than on those of the French. 27 percent of consumers who said they eat less fresh products than five years ago cook less than five years ago (27 percent Germans vs. 15 percent French) or commonly complain about the lack of time for it (20 percent Germans vs. 10 percent French).
Consumer behaviour of Germans less sensitive to price changes
There are also financial reasons for a reduction of the consumption of fresh food products for the French. If they have less money to spend or the prices go up, over half of the people questioned (51 resp. 53 percent) buy less fresh products. German consumers are significantly less sensitive to this with 29 resp. 28 percent.
For more information:
Bizerba Germany
Andreas Wegeleben
Wilhelm-Kraut-Straße 65
72336 Balingen
Telephone +49 7433 12-33 00
andreas.wegeleben@bizerba.com