A combination of inflation, a labor shortage and supply chain issues have caused consumers to cut back on spending in recent months. However, consumers are still wanting good quality meals and demand remains strong in most convenience meat segments as shoppers continue to look for easy ways to create their favorite meals.  

Beef is a go-to American staple, and its popularity skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many home cooks sharpened their skills in the kitchen and people consolidated their grocery shopping into fewer trips while maintaining a freezer stash at home.

One of the largest impacts on poultry in 2022 has been the continued increase in demand, which of course saw a big rise in March of 2020 at the outskirts of the pandemic.

Bryan Quoc Le, a PhD-level food scientist and food industry consultant, noted that as simpler plant-based meat designs become saturated, such as meatballs, patties, ground meat, chicken nuggets, deli slices, and tenders, food companies are seeking to expand into other configurations and flavors.

Consumers are showing an increasing curiosity and motivation to try great tasting, plant-based proteins across a spectrum of lifestyles.

Organic meat is booming. In the past year, organic meat sales have grown 37% versus two years ago, outpacing the meat department, which grew 20%, according to Nielsen data.

Bacon plays a larger-than-life role in many consumers’ lives — it’s more than just food to them, it’s a symbol, a feeling, and an experience.

What’s a barbecue without the buns?

Over the past two years, the pandemic has required that people stay home more than ever, and that meant consumers cooking a lot more of their own meals. Not surprisingly, many turned to grilling, especially during the summer typical grilling season, and interest in the meats being used rose substantially.

More than ever before, consumers today are trying to diversify their at-home menu, balancing factors like nutrition, taste and kitchen burnout while they continue to prepare more meals at home.