In February 2024, the European Union witnessed a significant increase in meat prices, with pork leading the surge at 5.7% higher than the previous year, according to Eurostat. Overall, meat prices rose by 3.3%, with variations observed across different meat types and EU countries. The most substantial price hikes were recorded in Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia, whereas the Czech Republic, Finland, and Denmark saw decreases. Factors such as elevated production costs, shifts in supply and demand, and broader economic conditions like inflation and exchange rate changes are believed to be driving these price increases. This has led to recommendations for consumers to explore alternative protein sources as a strategy to cope with rising food expenses.