Processed Meat Market Report 2025

This Processed Meat report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.

The processed meat market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $830.02 billion in 2024 to $908.87 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased urbanization, change in lifestyles, rise in demand for convenience food products, growing population, increased disposable income.

The processed meat market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.29 trillion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising growth inThe manufacturing sector, increasing consumption of packaged foods, growing working women population, increasing demand for fresh meat fromThe health-conscious population, increasing demand for protein-based diets. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in freezing technology, premium and artisanal products, customization and personalization, clean label and natural ingredients, plant-based and alternative proteins.

The rising consumption of various processed food products is expected to drive the growth of the processed meat market in the future. Processed food refers to items that have been frozen, canned, cooked, packaged, or modified in nutritional composition through fortification, preservation, or other methods. Processed meat offers several benefits, including enhanced taste, reduced risk of meat-borne infections, extended shelf life, and increased portability. For example, in September 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture, a U.S.-based federal agency, reported that the total value of processed food products exported from the U.S. reached $36.61 billion, marking a 6.63% increase from $34.19 billion in 2021. Additionally, Canada exported processed food products valued at $12.23 billion, while Mexico's processed food exports amounted to $5.86 billion in 2023. Thus, the growing consumption of various processed food products is set to boost the processed meat market.

Growing urbanization is anticipated to drive the expansion of the processed meat market in the future. Urbanization refers to the transformation of rural settlements into cities. This trend has led to a shift in dietary preferences, with consumers increasingly opting for processed meat products due to their convenience and extended shelf life. For example, a report published in December 2023 by UN Trade and Development, a Switzerland-based intergovernmental organization within the United Nations Secretariat, noted that urbanization has significantly accelerated in developing economies over the past decade, particularly in Asia and Oceania, where the urbanization rate rose from 44% to 50.6% by 2022. Therefore, the increasing urbanization is expected to fuel the growth of the processed meat market going forward.

Plant-based meat is a significant trend gaining traction in the processed meat market. These products, made from plants, serve as substitutes for traditional animal-based meats, including sausages, steaks, burgers, fillets, bacon, nuggets, and various other popular dishes. For example, in July 2024, Beyond Meat, a U.S.-based company known for its plant-based meat substitutes that replicate the taste and texture of animal meat, launched its latest product, Sun Sausage. This marks the company's first venture into a plant-based offering that doesn't aim to mimic beef, pork, or poultry. Designed for use in various food applications, this innovative protein features wholesome ingredients such as spinach, bell peppers, brown rice, and red lentils. Sun Sausage is available in three unique flavors - Pineapple Jalapeno, Pesto, and Cajun - exclusively at Sprouts Farmers Markets nationwide.

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 include 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., Marel hf, 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 2024. Europe was the second-largest region in the processed meat market share. The regions covered in the processed meat market analysis report are Asia-Pacific, 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, Russia, South Korea, UK and USA.

Processed meat is characterized as any meat that has undergone alterations to enhance its flavor or extend its shelf life. The curing of processed meats typically involves the use of sodium nitrite to prevent the growth of Clostridium perfringens, and during the preservation process, they are stored in chilling and cold storage. Vacuum packing of processed meat often utilizes high barrier materials such as polyvinylidene dichloride or ethylene-vinyl alcohol.

The primary product categories of processed meat include chilled, frozen, canned, or preserved options. Chilled meat is preserved to prevent microbial deterioration and spoilage. It is frozen in the atmosphere at -4 degrees Celsius and treated with nitrite, antioxidants, and flavorings. Various processing methods include fresh processed meat, raw cooked meat, precooked meat, raw fermented sausages, cured meat, dried meat, and others. These processes involve different types of meat, such as poultry, beef, mutton, pork, and others. Processed meat can have both organic and conventional variations and is distributed through various channels, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, grocery stores, specialty retailers, online stores, and others.

The processed meat market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides processed meat market statistics, including processed meat industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a processed meat market share, detailed processed meat market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the processed meat industry. This processed meat market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

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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