Processed Meat Market Report 2026

The processed meat market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $899.56 billion in 2025 to $981.3 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of urban consumer populations, increasing demand for convenience foods, growth of cold chain infrastructure, rising meat consumption across regions, availability of industrial meat processing facilities.

The processed meat market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.39 trillion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for premium processed meats, rising focus on clean-label meat products, expansion of online meat retailing, growing investments in automation and traceability, increasing regulatory scrutiny on meat safety standards. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of advanced meat processing technologies, rising demand for ready-to-eat meat products, growing focus on extended shelf-life solutions, expansion of vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging, enhanced emphasis on food safety compliance.

Growing urbanization is expected to propel the growth of the processed meat market going forward. Urbanization refers to the process by which rural settlements expand and evolve into larger towns and cities. As more people migrate to urban areas in search of better employment opportunities, improved infrastructure, and enhanced lifestyles, demand for convenient food options continues to rise. Processed meat supports this trend by offering ready-to-eat, easy-to-cook, and longer-shelf-life products that align well with fast-paced urban living. For instance, in 2024, according to the World Bank, a US-based multilateral financial institution, the urban population accounted for 57% of the world’s total population in 2023 and increased to 58% in 2024. Therefore, growing urbanization is driving the growth of the processed meat market.

Leading companies in the processed meat market are strategically focusing on collaborations. Strategic collaborations involve agreements between independent entities to work together towards shared objectives. In April 2023, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), a US-based food processing company, joined forces with Believer Meats, a Israel-based food technology company, to develop innovative products using cultivated meat. This collaboration combines ADM's expertise in food formulation and global reach with Believer's groundbreaking cell-cultivated beef method, aiming to meet the escalating demand for protein.

In January 2023, DTM Distributors, Inc., a U.S.-based distributor of packaging and foodservice products, acquired ACME Meat Company for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition allows DTM to expand its portfolio within the specialty food distribution sector, specifically targeting independent Mexican restaurants in Arizona. ACME Meat Company is a U.S.-based firm that focuses on producing and distributing high-quality meat products.

Major companies operating in the processed meat market are Cargill Incorporated, Tyson Foods Inc., National Foods Limited, Hormel Foods Corporation, Smithfield Foods Inc., Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Conagra Brands Inc., BRF S.A., Foster Farms, JBS S.A., Koch Foods LLC, Marfrig Global Foods S.A., National Beef Packing Company LLC, Sanderson Farms Inc., Perdue Farms Inc., Sadia S.A., Danish Crown A/S, Keystone Foods LLC, Empire Kosher Poultry Inc., Butterball LLC, Boar's Head Provisions Co. Inc., Applegate Farms LLC, Johnsonville LLC, Farmland Foods Inc., Hillshire Brands Company.

North America was the largest region in the processed meat market in 2025. Europe was the second-largest region in the processed meat market share. The regions covered in the processed meat market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the processed meat market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The processed meat market consists of sales of processed pork meat, processed mutton meat, processed beef meat, processed chicken meat, processed turkey meat, processed ducks meat, processed crustaceans meat, processed fish meat, and other processed meat. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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