Sector Trend Analysis – Meat trends in the United States

United States' meat production

For the market year 2022, US meat production (beef and veal, pork and chicken) totaled 45,618 thousand tonnes, with beef and veal accounting for 12,724 thousand tonnes, chicken for 20,568 thousand tonnes and pork for 12,326 thousand tonnes. All of their production saw moderate growth from 2017 to 2022

Chickens and pigs are the US's primary livestock, producing 9.2 billion and 77.3 million heads respectively in 2020. Only sheep experienced declining CAGR of 0.5% from 2016 to 2020. Pigs in particular, experienced the largest increase in CAGR (2.0%) as volume of livestock production increased from 71.3 million heads in 2016 to 77.3 million heads in 2020.

The United States' trade summary

Of the major meat suppliers to US by value, Canada was ranked as the largest (valued at US$4,360.3 million in 2021) and accounted for 32.5% of the market share in US in 2021. Canada increased at a CAGR of 11.9% from 2017 to 2021. Due to the strong demand for meat, all of the top 10 countries exporting meat to US had a steady CAGR from 2017 to 2021, ranging from 31.3% (Brazil) to as low as 2.8% (Australia).

Of the major meat suppliers to US by volume, Canada ranked as the largest in 2021, exporting 803.3 thousand tonnes and accounting for 38.2% of the of the market share in US. Canada increased at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2017 to 2021. Among the top 10 suppliers, Brazil reached the highest CAGR of 29.5% from 2017 to 2021.

In 2021, the top three Canada meat products exported to the US were frozen meat of swine at US$1,880.4 million, fresh/chilled meat of swine at US$618.5 million and fresh or chilled bovine cuts at US$364.8 million. Fresh or chilled bovine cuts recorded the highest CAGR of 32.3% from 2017 to 2021.

In terms of trade volume, Canada's top exports in 2021 were fresh or chilled bovine meat at 267.8 thousand tonnes, and fresh/chilled meat of swine at 167.7 thousand tonnes. Fresh or chilled edible offal of swine had the highest CAGR of 21.3% from 2017 to 2021.

Canada's meat export to the United States by provinces

In terms of export value broken down by Canadian provinces, Alberta led with a value of US$2,121.4 million in 2021, which accounted for 48.7% of Canada's total meat exports to the US. Ontario ranked second, exporting US$1,034 million of meat in 2021, followed by Quebec at US$838.1 million.

In terms of export volume by province, Alberta exported 306.5 thousand tonnes of meat to the US in 2021, followed by Ontario at 261.8 thousand tonnes and Quebec at 210.2 thousand tonnes.

1) Alberta

The top three meat products that Alberta exported to the US in 2021 were: fresh or chilled bovine meat at US$1,482.1 million; fresh or chilled bovine cuts at US$312.1 million; and frozen edible bovine offal at US$86.8 million. Fresh or chilled bovine cuts had the biggest growth at a CAGR of 39.6% from 2017 to 2021.

2) Ontario

The top three meat products that Ontario exported to the US in 2021 were: fresh or chilled bovine meat, boneless at a value of US$380.5 million, fresh or chilled meat of swine at a value of US$253.3 million and frozen, boneless meat of bovine animals at a value of US$40.8 million. Frozen, boneless meat of bovine animals had a fastest growth of CAGR 64.3% from 2017 to 2021.

3) Quebec

The top three meat products that Quebec exported to the US in 2021 were: meat or offal of fowls of the species prepared or preserved at a value of US$221.9 million, fresh or chilled meat of swine at a value of US$214.9 million and fresh or chilled hams, shoulders and cuts thereof of swine at a value of US69.1 million.

4) Manitoba

The top three meat products that Manitoba exported to the US in 2021 were: fresh or chilled meat of swine at a value of US$89.9 million, fresh or chilled hams, shoulders and cuts thereof of swine at a value of US$69.2 million and bellies "streaky" and cuts thereof of swine at a value of US$64.3 million. The fastest growth from 2017 to 2021 was fresh or chilled edible offal of sheep, goats, horses, asses, mules and hinnies at a CAGR of 425.0%.

5) British Columbia

The top three meat products that British Columbia exported to the US in 2021 were: frozen fowls of the species gallus domesticus at a value of US$7.4 million, preparations of liver of any animal at a value of US$6.7 million.The fastest CAGR growth from 2017 to 2021 were prepared or preserved meat or offal of bovine animals and meat or offal of fowls of the species prepared or preserved both at a CAGR of 41.4%.

6) Saskatchewan

The top three meat products that Saskatchewan exported to the US in 2021 were: prepared or preserved meat and offal of swine, incl. mixtures at a value of US$10.5 million, sausages and similar products, of meat, offal or blood; food preparations based on these products at a value of US$1.0 million and fresh or chilled hams, shoulders and cuts thereof of swine, with bone at a value of US$0.7 million.

7) New Brunswick

The top three meat products that New Brunswick exported to the US in 2021 were: sausages and similar products, of meat, offal or blood; food preparations at a value of US$4.5 million, bellies "streaky" and cuts thereof of swine, salted, in brine, dried or smoked at value of US$0.4 million and frozen meat of swine at a value of US$0.2 million. Sausages and similar products, of meat, offal or blood; food preparations had the fastest CAGR growth of 117.8% from 2017 to 2021.

It is important for Canadian exporters to work closely with their importing partners to ensure that the US import requirements are met and that the necessary documentation is provided. Please note that only federally registered meat establishments meeting certain criteria are eligible to export meat products to the US. Please visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website: United States of America (US) - Export requirements for meat and poultry products. Canadian meat exporters are encouraged to verify if their information is accurately reflected on the CFIA website before shipping their products to the US in order to avoid potential delay or rejection at the US ports because of information discrepancies.

Consumption and spending

1) Market size

The total volume of sales of meat in US reached 21,220.2 thousand tonnes in 2021. Poultry accounted for the largest volume of meat sold in US in 2021 at 10,314 thousand tonnes (almost 50% of the total meat sales), followed by beef and veal at 7,149.6 thousand tonnes and pork at 3,525.0 thousand tonnes. Beef and veal had the highest CAGR of 2.3%. It is forecast that by 2026, total meat sales in the US will reach 23,976.7 thousand tonnes. Beef and veal is projected to have a CAGR of 2.9%, followed by poultry at 2.3% from 2021 to 2026.

Per capita consumption of meat by the US consumers was 63.9 kilograms in 2021, up from 61.9 kilograms in 2016, and it is projected to reach 70.6 kilograms by 2026.

2) Retail sales value

The retail sales value of the US meat sector increased from US$85,218.9 million in 2016 to US$89,919.3 million in 2021, registering a CAGR of 1.1%. The sector is expected to reach to US$1.0 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 2.4% from 2021 to 2026.

3) Leading companies in the United States processed meat sector

Tyson Foods Inc was the leading company in the US processed meat sector, representing 15.2% of the market share, followed by Kraft Heinz Co representing 10.9% of the market share. Private labels held 16.7% of the market share, while other companies held 27.7% of the market share in 2021.

The top brand in the processed meat sector in 2021 was Oscar Mayer, at a value of US$3,615.2 million, representing a market share 10.9% of the US processed meat market. Tyson's market share was 5.7%, Hillshire Farm's market share was 3.4% in 2021.

New product launch analysis

According to Mintel's Global New Products Database (GNPD), there were 13,428 new meat and meat food products launched, in the US between January 2017 and July 2022. The number of yearly product launches has decreased from 2,530 meat and meat products as an ingredient, launched in 2017 to 2,264 meat and meat products in 2021.

Meat products, poultry products, fish products, meat snacks and prepared meals were the top sub-categories of newly released meat and meat product (as an ingredient) launches while microwaveable and Low/No/Reduced Allergen were top claims associated with new meat and meat products as an ingredient, released during the prescribed period.

The top packaging types included skin pack (3,446 products), flexible (2,908 products) and tray (2,581 products). The new product launches were released as new variety/range extension (5,817 products), new packaging (3,967 products) and new product (2,643 products) released between January 2017 and July 2022. Unflavoured/plain, and smoke were top flavours (including blends), while salt, waters, and spices are top ingredients identified during this period.

Examples of new products

For more information

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service:

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For additional information on the American Food and Beverage Show, please contact:

Cecile Landgrebe
Trade Commissioner
Consulate General of Canada
Government of Canada
cecile.landgrebe@international.gc.ca

Resources

• Euromonitor International 2022
• FAOSTAT Agricultural Production, 2022
• Global Trade Tracker, 2022
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 2022. USDA production, supply and distribution

Sector Trend Analysis – Meat trends in the United States
Global Analysis Report

Prepared by: Hongli Wang, Senior Market Analyst

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