All Industries

Food

Meat and Fish

The Future of Meat and Poultry 2026

The Future of Meat and Poultry 2026

"With a meat renaissance now formally ratified by the new US Dietary Guidelines, meat and poultry will meet new occasions, health needs and long-term resilience."

Alice Pilkington, Associate Principal

Future Of Meat and Fish Global

Discover the future trends in the global meat and poultry market with Mintel’s Future Of report. The report identifies the key consumer and industry trends that will impact the global meat and poultry industry over the next five years.

The most important upcoming trends in the meat and poultry market are analysed and succinctly presented alongside relevant insights from Mintel’s consumer data. So you can understand how consumer demands will change and identify future innovation and growth opportunities.

Key Meat Industry Trends Covered in the Report

Diversification will help to unlock new consumer priorities
Meat will tell a bigger nutrition story
Welfare in a warming world

Purchase the full report for a complete breakdown of the trends shaping the future of the meat and poultry industry. Alongside Mintel’s pick of the most innovative and inspirational meat and poultry launches introduced to the global market.

Collapse All

- Where we are now
- In the next two years
- In five years and beyond
- Animal protein is back on the menu
- Ongoing trade deal turmoil will strengthen scrutiny of origin
IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS
- Mintel's perspective
- Redefining the meat-centric occasion
- Rising beef prices will offer other proteins a chance to shine at special occasions
- Pork brands will look to the UK for premium, preparation and plating cues
- Meat brands will more actively recognise less-common cultural celebrations
- Graph 1: "It's important to me that the protein I consume aligns with my religious or cultural dietary practices" (any agree), newer vs established Canadians, 2025
- Meat products will be positioned as convenient shortcuts to showstopping festival meals
- UK retailer Tesco offers marketing inspiration for Ramadan campaigns
- As the definition of comfort food evolves, meat and poultry brands will respond
- Fascination with Asian cuisine will push the boundaries of flavour and format
- Meat will tell a bigger nutrition story
- Meat ingredients will align with macronutrient mentality
- Brands will leverage the meat renaissance to remind consumers of its broader nutritional value
- Pork cuts will champion their B vitamin content to improve health associations
- Graph 2: associations, by select protein type, 2025
- Meat snacks have an opportunity to move beyond the gym bro
- Meat snacks will soften their marketing to widen their appeal
- Graph 3: select important reasons to get enough protein in your diet, by gender, 2025
- Meat snacks will position themselves as a healthier alternative to sugary treats
- Singing Pastures and Mission Meats actively appeal to women and children
- Diversification will help to unlock new consumer priorities
- Dietary diversity holds potential for hybrids 2.0
- Graph 4: interest in select concepts from food and drink brands, 2024
- Prioritising flavour and 'cheffy' terms will move hybrids away from compromise
- Purposeful processing will help hybrid products tap into flavour and function
- Brands will boost sustainability circularity through bone broth
- Upcycling will become increasingly pertinent within animal protein renaissance
- Snacks, soup bases and supplements offer meat brands avenues for upcycling
IN FIVE YEARS AND BEYOND
- Mintel's perspective
- Wild venison will position itself as helping the environment, not hindering it
- As climate change intensifies, pasture-raised claims will need to be re-assessed
- Meat and poultry brands will demonstrate how they are taking the lead on weatherproofing farms
- With food security on consumer radar, cell-based meat's rationale will evolve
- Cell-based meat will look to EVs* for messaging cues and social media for its viral moment
- MrBeast gives cell-based meat its viral moment
- Key takeaways

What is a 'Future of' Report?

Have you ever wondered how to get a clear view of what’s next for your industry? Forget the crystal ball, what you need is a Mintel ‘Future of’ reports. The reports offer a forward-looking perspective, helping you identify upcoming opportunities and navigate the trends that will shape your business for the next five years and beyond.

How Mintel Builds a Picture of the Future

Creating a ‘Future of’ report is a comprehensive process that combines deep data analysis with expert human insight. Here’s a look at the core components that make these reports so valuable.

Expert Insights from Category Analysts

Our dedicated category analysts are at the heart of these reports. They bring years of industry experience and a deep understanding of global markets. They interpret complex data, connect the dots, and provide you with expert recommendations on what to expect in the next two years, five years, and even further into the future. They provide the strategic thinking you need to stay ahead.

Powered by Robust Data

Our analysis is grounded in solid data. A key source is Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD), a powerful resource that tracks product innovation and launches around the world. By analysing this wealth of information, we can spot emerging patterns and shifts in the market. This data, combined with our knowledge of consumer behavior, allows us to anticipate what consumers will want next.

Designed for Forward-Thinking Strategy

Our ‘Future of’ reports are designed to help you look ahead with confidence. By focusing on trend forecasting and identifying future opportunities, these reports provide the insights you need to innovate and plan effectively. They are crafted specifically to help you anticipate market shifts and make proactive decisions, ensuring you and your business are prepared for what’s to come.

$ 2,995 (Excl.Tax)

Download today with instant access
Multiple formats provided
Save up to 20% when you purchase multiple reports

Report Brochure Methodology Talk to a Reports Specialist

Next Starts Here

Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.

Learn more

Trusted by global industry leaders

Mintel helps us when we want to know something quickly – it provides fast answers to our questions. If we need to get a view of what’s going on in a particular market it’s very useful.

When carrying out background research, I find Mintel an excellent starting point.

The fact that it covers so many markets is a big plus for me– instead of having to buy specialist products in each area we are interested in, especially when we only require a brief view on a particular market, we can go to Mintel for help as a one-stop shop. I find Mintel a useful and valuable resource.

Ben Zeidler, Director - Research and Analytics, Tenth Wave

There is no question that Mintel is the go-to resource for the best quality market research, but I did not think it was an affordable option for Abacus Marketing to consider. As a small marketing agency, we only work with a few new clients each year.

However, we have a very high-end consultative approach to our work, so we really do need a partner like Mintel to provide the big agency experience we are always aiming to deliver. Our clients come from an incredibly diverse range of industry sectors, so we obviously need access to market research reports from a very wide spectrum of marketplaces – and that is precisely what we got.

Stephen Taylor-Brown, Managing Director, Abacus

We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.

By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.

For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.

Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon

We use Mintel to inform our thinking and reinforce strategy. If you’re presenting new ideas, it’s essential they are underpinned by robust data and evidence, and clearly rooted in fact.

Mintel gives us all that. It’s a great brand and one that is trusted by clients.

Marie Stafford, European Director, The Innovation Group, VML

We have such a great working relationship with Mintel on lots of different levels. As an insight partner, they have helped us to develop our business planning in specific categories as well as supporting our creative process but they’ve also been super helpful with facilitating our events in their inspirational offices near St Paul’s.

They’re an innovative company, with a client-focused team that always delivers.

Abby Carvosso, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Group