Slideshow: Next-generation meat snacks

CHICAGO — While processed meat sticks and jerky may still be found near the checkout counter at convenience stores and truck stops, premium meat snacks have become a booming category from gyms to natural grocers to online merchants. They may be found in the fridge, freezer and ambient aisle.

Market trends suggest meat consumption in the form of snacks is set to achieve its highest peak since 2012, according to recent research from jerkybrands.com. The study showed meat snack sales have increased by 40% in the past four years, to about $4.9 billion in 2022 from about $3.5 billion in 2019.

Meat snacks and jerky beef consumption increased by 1.4% from 2020 to 2022, according to jerkybrands.com’s survey conducted with data from the US Census and Simmons National Consumer Survey. Consumption is expected to follow an upward trajectory.

“Snacking is still a lifestyle in the US, with younger generations fueling future sales potential with an uptick of three-plus snacks per day,” said Sally Lyons Wyatt, executive vice president and practice leader for the market researcher Circana when speaking at the 2023 Sweets & Snacks Expo. “Key themes include bold flavors, convenience, satiety, fun and indulgence.”

Two-out-of-three consumers snack to fuel the day, which is up six percentage points from two years ago, according to the Circana 2023 Snacking Survey. More than half of respondents said snacks are an important part of their healthy eating plan throughout the day. The figure is up seven percentage points from two years ago. Of course, taste reigns — it always does.

“For those that snack three-plus times a day, every day, morning and late evening are the largest growth occasions,” Ms. Lyons Wyatt said.

All the snacking occasions have driven consumers to be more aware of their choices. Mindful snacking is about choosing such better-for-you foods as mini meals, rather than traditional snacks from years ago. Many mindful snackers are following higher-protein diets, making meat and poultry snacks attractive options.

In fact, “high protein” topped the list of the diets/eating patterns being followed by Americans, according to the 2023 Food and Health Survey from the International Food Information Council, Washington. After high protein, which was identified by 18% of respondents as their eating pattern of choice, comes mindful eating at 17%. Calorie counting, clean eating and intermittent fasting all tied for third place with 12% of respondents following one of the dietary lifestyles.

This story is a shortened version of “Next-generation meat snacks” that ran on Meat + Poultry, a sister publication of Food Business News, in August 2023. View the full story here.