What you need to know

Health and environmental impact issues continue to pose challenges to the category, but despite that, red meats remain solidly entrenched in consumer diets. Sales for red meat made modest gains, with beef driven mostly by price increases and declines with pork, triggered by overproduction. Adjusted for inflation, the category is flat. This reflects reported consumer behavior; the majority of consumers report unchanged consumption since last year. While there is some reported attrition, there is also a smaller group of consumers who have increased consumption in a quest for enhanced protein and nutrients. While versatility and convenience are notable assets, taste and enjoyment are the steadfast driver for the category.

Definition

This Report builds on the analysis presented in Mintel’s Packaged Red Meat – US, February 2017; Packaged Red Meat – US, March 2016; Red Meat – US, February 2015; Red Meat – US, September 2013; and Red Meat – US, October 2012 as well as the same title in November 2010. The Report covers retail sales of beef, pork, and lamb in all forms, including ready to eat and heat and eat.

The following types of red meat are included:

  • Beef – including ground beef, steaks, roasts, and other cuts of beef

  • Pork – pork chops, pork cutlets, and other cuts

  • Other red meat – lamb, mutton, goat, bison, venison, and other game meats.

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