Meaty gross sales proceed for all meat segments

Persevering with a development trajectory of development that started a number of years in the past — although not on the record-level improve in 2020 — meat has been some of the promising grocery store segments over the past yr.

In accordance NielsenIQ knowledge, meat gross sales superior to $85.2 billion within the 52 weeks ended Might 28, marking a year-over-year improve of 5.8%, virtually matching the 5.9% gross sales achieve in 2021.

All subcategories confirmed stable performances, with rooster main the pack at a rise of 10.6% to $15.2 billion, a pointy rise from the 4.6% achieve a yr earlier when the class tallied $13.9 billion in gross sales.

Pork gross sales rose 6.2%, adopted by turkey at 5.3% and beef at 4.5%, all besting their 2021 numbers.


Jason Resner, vp of recent merchandising for Downers Grove, Sick.-based Contemporary Thyme Market, which operates 71 shops in 10 states, champions value-added pork objects corresponding to sea salt shoulder roasts and marinated tenderloins.

“Valued-added clients are gravitating towards the distinctiveness and selection versus worth,” Resner stated. “They’re in search of completely different alternatives to boost their night meals, as they’re having extra of them at dwelling. Even with pricing volatility, many consumers nonetheless view pork as a recent protein worth.”

Worth-added meats are as essential as ever, as inflation combined with the labor scarcity and provide chain challenges have meant much less spending on the register by many customers this yr. In response to those challenges, many retailers are upping their sliced, diced and cubed protein or pre-seasoned or marinated meats, that are extra handy for consumers to purchase.

The Meals Trade Affiliation’s “2022 Energy of Meat” report revealed the value-added meat class noticed a 4.7% development in greenback gross sales, totaling greater than $5 billion in 2021. Roughly 67% of meat consumers surveyed famous that they “often” or “generally” bought value-added merchandise. When respondents have been requested their prime purpose for purchasing value-added meat, 28% cited time financial savings, 22% higher style or taste, and 20% merely to have one thing completely different.

After two years of cooking at dwelling as a result of pandemic, adventurous eaters at the moment are in search of daring, genuine meals which might be easy to arrange and don’t require advanced pantry objects or a full day of cooking, in accordance with Annie Hennen, senior account government for Chicago-based Midan Advertising.

“Worth-added meat delivers a time-saving resolution that delivers on taste and consuming expertise,” Hennen defined. “The kind of advertising that’s efficient for value-added meats is determined by which demographic is in search of the product. As an example, customers in search of its comfort are sometimes much less pushed by label claims, however coupons and cross-merchandising in-store will be helpful advertising instruments to make use of with these consumers.”

Sturdy performers amongst recent meat segments

Within the recent meat class, rooster wings noticed a whopping 21.2% achieve in greenback gross sales, with pork offals and rooster legs/drumsticks additionally scoring sturdy beneficial properties of 15.8% and 14.7%, respectively.

Most different segments additionally turned in stable development, with year-over-year gross sales of rooster thighs up 12.9%, recent floor beef up 7.8%, and rooster breasts up 5.4%.  Even recent unique meats, corresponding to bison and venison, noticed a 3.2% achieve.

As soon as summer season grilling season is over, the following few months might be a telling level of the place the meat class is heading, retailers added. Some suppose meat gross sales may drop as shopper cash issues proceed, so an much more pronounced shift to value-added merchandise could also be within the playing cards, they stated.