US Packaged Red Meat Market Report 2025
Red meat continues to spark debate – celebrated as a protein powerhouse, yet scrutinized for potential health risks.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- What you need to know
- Market size and forecast of packaged red meat
- Market predictions of future opportunities and challenges
- What consumers want and why
- Opportunities
- Embrace red meats shift from the star on plate to a supporting role
- On-pack messaging can establish expectations and provide added value
- Take the cooking out of the process
- Ready-made red meats fulfill both practical and emotional needs
- Graph 1: [no title]
- Bridge the gap between misconceptions and realities of red meat through education and practical resources
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MARKET DYNAMICS
- Market context
- Market drivers
- Social and environmental factors create ripple effects in red meat’s supply chain
- Inflation impacts red meat types disproportionally
- Red Meat offers slight cost advantages over chicken and eggs as protein sources
- Two thirds describe their financial situation as something other than “healthy”
- Graph 2: financial situation, 2024
- Regardless of price increases, meat will remain on the menu
- Graph 3: dietary preferences, 2022-24
- Graph 4: attitudes towards protein, 2024
- Lifestyle factors and preferences reshape cooking habits and routines
- Gen Z is cooking more, but fall behind in skills
- Graph 5: consumers reporting cooking more than last year, by generation, 2022
- Graph 6: reported “basic” cooking skill level, by generation, 2022
- Conflicting research weakens red meat’s health perceptions
- Graph 7: reasons for eating less red meat than a year ago, 2025
- Market size and forecast
- Red meat sales rise because of (and despite of) inflation
- Red meat sales are forecast to reach $76.9bn in 2025
- Retail sales and forecast of packaged red meat
- Market segmentation
- Beef remains a favorite, but new regulations may throw off the balance
- Sales across red meat segments are on the up and up
- Graph 8: total retail sales and forecast of packaged red meat, by segment, at current prices, 2019-29
- Retail sales of packaged red meat, by segment
- Market share/brand share
- Private label holds nearly 64% of share
- Graph 9: multi-outlet sales of packaged red meat, by leading companies, 2025
- Inflation likely fueled sales growth across companies
- Value stems beyond just price in beef
- Graph 10: multi-outlet sales of beef and other red meat, by leading companies and brands, 2025
- Four out of five top beef companies experience sales growth
- Price supersedes, but consumers are willing to branch out
- Graph 11: multi-outlet sales of pork, by leading companies and brands, 2025
- Private-label pork overshadows with sales and share growth
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CONSUMER INSIGHTS
- Consumer fast facts
- Types of red meat consumed
- What you need to know
- Red meat gains traction despite price, health and sustainability concerns
- Graph 12: types of red meat consumed – NET, 2021, 2023 and 2025
- Lifestyle factors and general uncertainty bring shelf-stable meats back into the consideration set
- Graph 13: types of red meat consumed, 2021, 2023 and 2025
- Men adhere to traditional meal blueprints that include red meat
- Graph 14: types of red meat consumed, by gender, 2025
- Close to half of male consumers eat four or more types of red meat
- Graph 15: repertoire of red meat types consumed, by gender, 2025
- Pork loses relevance among Gen Z and Millennials
- Graph 16: types of red meat consumed – NET, by generation, 2025
- Frozen and shelf-stable meats fit more seamlessly into lifestyles of younger consumers
- Graph 17: types of red meat consumed, by generation, 2025
- Consumers in tough financial situations keep red meat in their carts
- Graph 18: types of red meat consumed, by financial situation, 2025
- Types of beef or pork consumed
- What you need to know
- Make less commonly used cuts of red meat feel more accessible and approachable
- Graph 19: types of beef or pork consumed, 2025
- Gen Z and Millennials are less loyal to traditional types of red meat
- Graph 20: types of beef or pork consumed, by generation, 2025
- Pork’s value image skews consumption toward budget-conscious consumers
- Graph 21: types of beef or pork consumed, by financial situation, 2025
- Shrinking package sizes could ease concerns over price and spoilage
- Graph 22: types of beef or pork consumed, by household size, 2025
- Change in red meat consumption
- What you need to know
- Those eating less red meat eclipse the amount who are consuming more
- Graph 23: change in beef consumption compared to a year ago, 2025
- Graph 24: change in pork consumption compared to a year ago, 2025
- Changes in red meat consumption remain similar for beef and pork
- Nutritional factors inversely motivate changes in red meat consumption…
- Graph 25: change in beef consumption compared to a year ago, by generation, 2025
- …across generational groups
- Graph 26: change in pork consumption compared to a year ago, by generation, 2025
- Red meat is on the chopping block…
- Graph 27: change in beef consumption compared to a year ago, by financial situation, 2025
- …as budgets tighten
- Graph 28: change in pork consumption compared to a year ago, by financial situation, 2025
- Male consumers’ search for protein leads them to red meat
- Graph 29: change in pork consumption compared to a year ago, by gender, 2025
- Graph 30: change in beef consumption compared to a year ago, by gender, 2025
- Motivations for eating more red meat
- What you need to know
- Key reasons for increased red meat consumption also drive people away
- Graph 31: reasons for consuming more beef or pork, 2025
- Protein powers interest, but go beyond for sustained engagement
- Graph 32: reasons for consuming more beef or pork, by generation, 2025
- Red meat needs to undergo a “femininomenon”
- Graph 33: reasons for consuming more beef or pork, by gender, 2025
- Provide solutions with red meat for parents
- Graph 34: reasons for consuming more beef or pork, by parental status, 2025
- Motivations for eating less red meat
- What you need to know
- Keep red meat on the menu with practical and value-added solutions
- Graph 35: reasons for consuming less beef or pork, 2025
- Red meat will have to compete on multiple levels to win back consumers from young to old
- Graph 36: reasons for consuming less beef or pork, by generation, 2025
- Capture consumers through value, and maintain loyalty through more nuanced factors
- Graph 37: reasons for consuming less beef or pork, by financial situation, 2025
- Help parents build new routines with red meat
- Graph 38: reasons for consuming less beef or pork, by parental status, 2025
- Willingness to pay more for a premium
- What you need to know
- Premium starts with top quality
- Graph 39: willingness to pay more for a premium, 2025
- The definition of premiumization changes with age
- Graph 40: willingness to pay more for a premium, by generation, 2025
- A variety of options means there’s something for everyone
- Graph 41: willingness to pay more for a premium, by gender, 2025
- Interest in red meat preparation methods
- What you need to know
- Recipe inspirations can take consumers beyond tried-and-true recipes
- Graph 42: interest in red meat preparation methods, 2025
- Correspondence map
- Some like convenience while others like to take their time
- Graph 43: interest in red meat preparation methods – microwaved, by generation, 2025
- Graph 44: interest in red meat preparation methods – grilled, by generation, 2025
- Available resources influence preparation styles
- Versatile prep methods can promote elevated dining at home
- Graph 45: interest in red meat preparation methods – stewed, by parental status, 2025
- Graph 46: interest in red meat preparation methods – braised, by parental status, 2025
- Slow-cook options can enhance meal prep for parents and non-parents alike
- Motivating factors in red meat purchase
- What you need to know
- Consumers value quality over novelty in red meat
- Graph 47: motivating factors in red meat purchase, 2025
- Convenience drives red meat appeal for young cooks
- Graph 48: motivating factors in red meat purchase, by generation, 2025
- Tight budgets shift focus from quality to price
- Graph 49: select motivating factors in red meat purchase, by financial situation, 2025
- Attitudes toward packaged red meat
- What you need to know
- Consumers appreciate the versatility of red meat
- Graph 50: attitudes toward packaged red meat (part one), 2025
- Perceived value changes with income
- Graph 51: attitudes toward packaged red meat (part one), by household income, 2025
- Red meat reimagined: easy, versatile and nutrient-rich
- Graph 52: attitudes toward packaged red meat (part two), 2025
- Simplify red meat cooking with innovative meal solutions
- Graph 53: attitudes toward packaged red meat (part two) – NET and any agree, by generation, 2025
- Men are up for the challenge of cooking red meat
- Graph 54: select attitudes toward packaged red meat – NET and any agree, by gender, 2025
- Graph 55: “Red meat is more intimidating to cook than other meat,” by number of types purchased, 2025
- Highlight quality and nutrition over sustainability for mass appeal
- Graph 56: select attitudes toward packaged red meat, 2025
- Younger buyers value both convenience and sustainability
- Graph 57: select attitudes toward packaged red meat – NET and any agree, by generation, 2025
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INNOVATION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES
- Launch activity and innovation
- Red meat carries global flavors and formats
- Protein flavor interests span from classic flavors…
- Graph 58: experience with and interest in the following protein flavors, 2025
- …to global flair
- Graph 59: experience with and interest in the following protein flavors/prep methods, 2024
- Top launches highlight low-to-no, free-from claims
- One in four consumers are concerned about red meat’s environmental impact, driving brands toward natural claims
- Brands hone in on simple preparation methods to communicate convenience
- Graph 60: performance of Buona Vita 3 Cheese Blend Agnus Beef Meatballs vs meat products, 2017-25
- Protein takes the spotlight on packaging
- Graph 61: percent of red meat launches touting protein, 2019-24
- 40% of wagyu products in the last five years were launched in 2024
- Graph 62: launch of Wagyu beef products, by year, 2020-24
- Premium store-brand meats deliver the perfect blend of quality and value
- Graph 63: [no title]
- Marketing and advertising
- Pre uses social media to reshape the narrative around red meat’s health
- Verde Farms gets to the point with sustainability and ethical production
- Adaptable Meals prove convenience, handholding consumers through the process
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APPENDIX
- Market definition
- Market size methodology
- Consumer research questions
- Consumer research methodology
- Generations
- Forecast methodology
- Forecast fan chart methodology
- Data
- Total retail sales and forecast of packaged red meat, at inflation-adjusted prices
- Average annual household spending on packaged red meat
- Total retail sales of packaged red meat, by segment, at current prices, 2022 and 2024
- Total retail sales and forecast of beef, at current prices
- Total retail sales and forecast of beef, at inflation-adjusted prices
- Total retail sales and forecast of pork, at current prices
- Total retail sales and forecast of pork, at inflation-adjusted prices
- Total retail sales and forecast of other red meat, at current prices
- Total retail sales and forecast of other red meat, at inflation-adjusted prices
- Total retail sales of packaged red meat, by channel
- Total retail sales of packaged red meat, by channel, at current prices, 2022 and 2024
- Supermarket sales of packaged red meat, at current prices
- Sales of packaged red meat through other retail channels
US Packaged Red Meat Market Analysis
The US Red Meat Market has shown steady growth, increasing from the year 2019 to the year 2024. This growth has been driven by inflation and a shift toward home cooking.
While some consumers have reduced consumption due to health and environmental concerns, demand for red meat, especially beef, remains strong due to its affordability and high protein content. The US Red Meat Market Size is expected to significantly increase further by 2029, with convenience-driven products like pre-cooked and pre-marinated options playing a key role in sustaining growth in the Packaged Red Meat Market.
US Packaged Red Meat Market Consumer Trends
Consumer trends show a strong preference for convenience, with younger generations opting for pre-cooked and shelf-stable red meat products. While red meat remains popular, health concerns and rising prices have led some to reduce consumption, though beef remains the top choice in the US Packaged Red Meat Market. Consumers are willing to pay more for high-quality, convenient, and sustainably sourced options, while pork’s affordability continues to appeal to cost-conscious buyers.
Purchasing the US Packaged Red Meat Market Report for 2025 offers valuable insights into changing consumer behavior and key market trends. This analysis enables brands and retailers to fine-tune their strategies, identify growth opportunities, and stay ahead of the competition in the evolving US Red Meat Market.
About The Report
The US Packaged Red Meat Market Report for 2025 offers valuable insights into consumer behavior, market trends, and key drivers within the US Packaged Red Meat Market. It covers areas such as market size, consumer preferences, purchasing habits, and the impact of factors like health concerns and economic conditions on consumption. The report also explores demographic insights and the influence of convenience-driven products. This report is essential for brands, retailers, and industry stakeholders looking to optimize strategies, uncover growth opportunities, and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving Packaged Red Meat Market.
Key Topics Analyzed in the Report
- Reported consumption of red meat
- Change in red meat consumption compared to a year ago
- Reasons for eating more red meat than a year ago
- Reasons for eating less red meat than a year ago
- Factors worth paying more in red meat
- Preparation of interest for various types of red meat
- Motivators for red meat purchase
- Attitudes toward red meat
- Size of the red meat market
- Trends in launch activity for red meat and opportunities for further innovation
Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis
This report was written by Julia Mills. Julia joined Mintel as a Food & Drink Analyst in 2023 after spending two years working in the Food & CPG industry. Prior to Mintel, she analyzed trends & insights in both the food distribution and market research space. She holds a BA in Food & Consumer Package Goods Marketing from Western Michigan University.
Red meat sparks divided opinions – celebrated as a rich source of protein yet criticized for potential health risks. Strengthening its health appeal and perceived value will be critical in shaping its future.
Julia Mills
Food & Drink Analyst
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