The Power of Meat
To consumers, most meats are high priced, and to meat producers, prices are in line with the value of the meat product. With higher inputs, meat producers need high prices to stay in business.
A recently released Power of Meat report revealed some positive facts for the livestock and poultry industries. This report was conducted by 210 Analytics on behalf of the Meat Institute and the Food Industry Association (FMI).
Meat Institute President and Chief Executive Officer Julie Anna Potts said, “With most Americans – 74 percent – so confident in meat as a nutrient powerhouse which is top of the mind for protein needs, it’s no surprise people are buying more meat than ever. Meat Institute members are committed to making the nutrient-dense meat Americans need and keeping America’s farm economy thriving, today and for generations to come.”
The report, which has sales and purchase dynamics data provided by Circana for the 52 weeks ending on Dec. 29, 2024, showed consumers, on average, purchase meat more than once a week. This places meat as the largest fresh food department in grocery sales.
To me, this means it is bigger than the fresh vegetables and fruit section.
The report claimed 98 percent of American households purchase meat, and 73 percent of Americans view meat as an overall healthy choice. Ninety percent view protein as very/somewhat important to Americans, and animal proteins, including eggs at 83 percent, chicken at 82 percent and beef at 76 percent, top the list of foods most consumers view as protein-rich foods.
The report noted the average American shops for meat 54 times per year and spends $16.12 on meat per trip. The top three purchases for refrigerated meat include beef, chicken and pork, and the top three purchases for prepared meat include lunchmeat, bacon and sausage.
I would imagine the reason beef tops the list is because of the popularity of hamburger.
Rick Stein, FMI vice president of fresh foods, said, “The report defined the shoppers’ definition of value has expanded to include price, quality, relevance, convenience and experience. They are including meat in 90 percent of home-cooked dinners and looking for various options to suit their schedules, tastes and interests.”
He also said, “Whether shoppers are looking for the convenience of new ground meats or incorporating semi-prepared options in their meal prep, the meat department delivers.”
I also read a headline which said, “The U.S. beef industry just experienced its best year in history, record prices on a larger volume.”
Based on numbers by the Livestock Marketing Information Center, the beef demand index indicated a strong demand in 2024. The components used to measure the index are the all-fresh retail beef price, per capita consumption, the consumer price index and the own-price elasticity for beef. This has caused the cattle and beef industry to focus towards beef demand in 2025.
Cattle producers and the beef industry are both looking at record prices for beef products. These prices are expected to stay current or rise over the next couple of years as heifer retention has not showed up yet to grow the U.S. cattle herd.
A growing demand, both in the U.S. and other countries, will be the key. Demand dictates the U.S. beef industry provide a safe, healthy, tasty and a high-protein product for all consumers.
