ORLANDO, FLA. – Retail meat sales in the United States reached a record high of $104.6 billion in 2024, up 5% over 2023, according to the Power of Meat report published March 24 at the Annual Meat Conference and hosted by the Meat Institute and the FMI — The Food Industry Association. Retail meat volume also rose 2.3% last year to 22.8 billion lbs when compared to 2023.

With consumers purchasing meat more than once per week, on average, according to data from Circana, Chicago, meat retained its position as the largest fresh department at retail. In 2024, people were shopping for meat more often, with more trips to the store to take advantage of different promotions, according to the report.

Comparing categories, fresh meat had a stellar year over processed meat in sales, topping $73 billion (an increase of 6.7% over 2023) and in volume at 16.4 billion lbs, up 3.2% over the previous year.

Ground meat was a bright spot for cost-conscious consumers, according to the report, with a total of 22.8 billion lbs sold in the retail meat department, higher than pounds sold in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Ground beef represented 85% of grind sales, at $15 billion, an increase of 9.6% over the previous year and a 3.8% increase in pounds.

Ground turkey was next, with $2 billion in sales (up 4% versus a year ago), followed by chicken at $332 million, an increase of 10% in sales and about 9% more pounds sold compared to 2023.

Processed meat sales were flat at $32 billion in sales, just 0.4% over 2023 and volume of 6.4 billion lbs, the same as the previous year.

Ground meat was a bright spot for cost-conscious consumers with a total of 22.8 billion lbs sold in the retail meat department, higher than pounds sold in 2021, 2022 and 2023, according to the Power of Meat.

| Photo: ©SCOTT HABERMANN – STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Bacon led processed meat sales at $6.9 billion, according to Circana, an increase of 4.4% with a modest volume increase of 1.6%. Dinner sausage was the next highest seller, with $5.6 billion in sales, a 3% increase, and a 3.5% uptick in volume.

Outside the meat department, the report highlighted successful gains in frozen meats, with $14 billion in sales (a 6% increase over 2023) and deli-prepared meat products, at $6.4 billion in sales, a 10.8% jump.

“As shoppers’ definition of value has expanded to include price, quality, relevance, convenience and experience, they are including meat in 90% of home-cooked dinners and looking for various options to suit their schedules, tastes and interests,” said Rick Stein, vice president of fresh foods for FMI. “Whether shoppers are looking for the convenience of new ground meats or incorporating semi-prepared options in their meal prep, the meat department delivers.”

Anne-Marie Roerink, principal at the market research 210 Analytics and the author of the Power of Meat report, interviewed 20 consumers one-on-one as part of the report and found that they consider food prices to be unacceptably high, using words like “astronomical” and “insane” to describe the costs, including for meat and poultry products.

“They are in a constant balancing act — balancing price against things like promotions and nutrition and what they’re in the mood for; what will the kids like; what do I have time for?” Roerink said. “It has led to a very home-centric environment where we’re seeing the retail departments around the store from frozen and dry grocery to produce and meat do tremendously well,” she said, noting 30% of consumers reported purchasing restaurant meals less often and just 23% eating out more often.