Retail meat sales surged in 2024

Retail meat sales in the United States reached a record high of $104.6 billion in 2024, up 5% over 2023, according to the Power of Meat report published March 24 at the Annual Meat Conference and hosted by the Meat Institute and the FMI — The Food Industry Association. Retail meat volume also rose 2.3% last year to 22.8 billion lbs when compared to 2023.

With consumers purchasing meat more than once per week, on average, according to data from Circana, Chicago, meat retained its position as the largest fresh department at retail. In 2024, people were shopping for meat more often, with more trips to the store to take advantage of different promotions, according to the report.

Comparing categories, fresh meat had a stellar year over processed meat in sales, topping $73 billion (an increase of 6.7% over 2023) and in volume at 16.4 billion lbs, up 3.2% over the previous year.

Ground meat was a bright spot for cost-conscious consumers, according to the report, with a total of 22.8 billion lbs sold in the retail meat department, higher than pounds sold in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Ground beef represented 85% of grind sales, at $15 billion, an increase of 9.6% over the previous year and a 3.8% increase in pounds.

Ground turkey was next, with $2 billion in sales (up 4% versus a year ago), followed by chicken at $332 million, an increase of 10% in sales and about 9% more pounds sold compared to 2023.

Processed meat sales were flat at $32 billion in sales, just 0.4% over 2023 and volume of 6.4 billion lbs, the same as the previous year.