Despite an increase in flexitarians and a decrease in meat eaters, retail meat sales surged 19 percent in 2020 to $82.5 billion, according to the latest Power of Meat 2021 report. The report is produced by the Food Industry Association and the Meat Institute’s Foundation for Meat and Poultry Research and Education.
While much of the growth can be attributed to a 7.4 percent increase in price, volume still increased 11 percent.
The pandemic shifted consumer habits, such as consuming more food at home, which helped drive sales. “Driven by dinner and lunch, 43 percent of shoppers bought more meat and poultry,” the report read. In addition, shoppers experimented with new cuts and brands.
