United States Processed Pork Meat Market Size and Share

United States Processed Pork Meat Market Summary
Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.
View Global Report

United States Processed Pork Meat Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The United States processed pork meat market is valued at USD 5.05 billion in 2025 and is projected to surge to USD 5.77 billion, marking a robust CAGR of 2.70% by 2030. The demand for processed pork products in the United States is growing primarily due to shifts in consumer lifestyles toward convenience, health-conscious innovation, and the expansion of foodservice and e-commerce options. Busy lifestyles have led consumers to seek ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare protein-rich foods, which has propelled sales of items like bacon, sausages, and deli meats. This trend is also supported by the rise of e-commerce, where platforms offer consumers easy access and greater transparency regarding product information, such as sourcing and nutritional content. Simultaneously, growing health awareness has pushed manufacturers toward "clean-label" innovations, including products with reduced sodium, no synthetic preservatives, or organic certifications. This was demonstrated by the launch of Prairie Fresh Ground Pork and Pork Sausage in March 2025 to meet rising at-home cooking needs, and the introduction of Swift Prepared Foods' Principe Foods line in April 2023, which focuses on premium Italian meats. Overall, the increasing demand is a direct result of the industry's agility in adapting to evolving consumer preferences for convenience, health, and variety, alongside strategic marketing and distribution advancements.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By product type, sausages captured 39.56% of the United States processed pork meat market share in 2024, and bacon and ham segments are expanding at a 4.20% CAGR through 2030.
  • By nature, conventional items accounted for 85.94% of the United States processed pork meat market in 2024, while organic products are advancing at a 6.23% CAGR.
  • By distribution channel, on-trade outlets represented 61.62% of 2024 volume, and off-trade sales are set to grow at a 4.29% CAGR to 2030.

Segment Analysis

By Product Type: Sausages Dominate While Bacon Drives Premium Growth

In 2024, sausages command a dominant 39.56% market share, showcasing their versatility across breakfast, lunch, and dinner in both retail and foodservice settings. This segment's stronghold is a testament to ingrained consumer preferences and a deep-rooted presence in quick-service restaurants, where flavor consistency and operational efficiency reign supreme. Major players like Johnsonville and Smithfield are bolstering their sausage capacities, eyeing strategic acquisitions and broadening product lines to cater to ethnic and premium markets.

Meanwhile, bacon and ham are sizzling as the fastest-growing segment, boasting a 4.20% CAGR through 2030. Their rise is fueled by innovative premium products and an expanding breakfast menu in foodservice. Smithfield's "We Speak Pork" campaign is at the forefront, championing bacon innovations like thick-cut varieties and global flavor profiles, with a keen eye on the younger demographic. Deli meats and cold cuts are riding the wave of convenience trends and a surge in protein-centric snacking. Industry giants Oscar Mayer (Kraft Heinz) and Hormel are leading the charge, rolling out expanded ready-to-eat formats. Canned and preserved products cater to the budget-conscious and those seeking emergency food storage. Meanwhile, other processed offerings spotlight specialty items like jerky, pepperoni, and ethnic delicacies, resonating with the diverse multicultural segments across the U.S.

United States Processed Pork Meat Market: Market Share by Product Type
Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Get Detailed Market Forecasts at the Most Granular Levels
Download PDF

By Nature: Conventional Products Maintain Dominance as Organic Accelerates

In 2024, conventional processed pork products dominate the market, accounting for an 85.94% share, thanks to established supply chains, cost advantages, and widespread acceptance among diverse U.S. demographics. This segment leverages economies of scale in both production and distribution, enabling competitive pricing that resonates with mainstream consumers at supermarkets and hypermarkets nationwide. Industry giants such as Tyson Foods, JBS USA, and Cargill lead the market, bolstered by their operational efficiency and extensive distribution networks.

Meanwhile, organic processed pork is on a growth trajectory, boasting a 6.23% CAGR through 2030. This surge is fueled by its premium positioning and a consumer base, predominantly educated and higher-income, willing to invest in perceived health and environmental benefits. Coleman All Natural Meats is at the forefront of this organic innovation, offering Heritage Duroc breed pork that's antibiotic-free, fed a 100% vegetarian diet, and boasts animal welfare certifications surpassing California's Proposition 12 standards. However, the organic segment grapples with supply constraints, stemming from a scarcity of certified facilities and elevated production costs. Yet, this challenge presents a golden opportunity for processors ready to invest in USDA Organic certification and specialized handling systems. Brands like Applegate Farms are seizing this moment, broadening their organic offerings to meet the surging demand for transparency and sustainable practices.

By Distribution Channel: On-Trade Dominance Reflects Foodservice Integration

In 2024, on-trade distribution channels, which include hotels, restaurants, and catering services, account for 61.62% of the market volume, underscoring the advantages of processed pork in U.S. foodservice. These channels leverage bulk purchasing power, standardized portion control, and the flexibility of menu integration, giving processed products an edge over fresh alternatives in high-volume settings. Quick-service restaurants, such as McDonald's, Subway, and Pizza Hut, prioritize processed pork for its consistent cooking times, extended shelf life, and labor efficiency, prominently featuring bacon, sausage, and pepperoni on their menus. Casual dining venues utilize processed pork in signature dishes and limited-time offers, boosting both customer traffic and profit margins. 

Meanwhile, off-trade channels are on a growth trajectory, boasting a 4.29% CAGR through 2030. This surge is fueled by retail innovations, premium product launches, and packaging solutions designed for the convenience of busy American consumers. Supermarkets and hypermarkets, with giants like Walmart, Kroger, and Costco, dominate off-trade volumes through strategic promotions and private label initiatives. In contrast, specialty meat stores carve out a niche in the premium segment, emphasizing artisanal positioning and expert curation. Convenience stores tap into the demand for grab-and-go processed pork, catering to protein-seeking consumers. Innovations in packaging not only extend shelf life but also cater to portable consumption, resonating with the American lifestyle.

United States Processed Pork Meat Market: Market Share by Distribution Channel
Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.
Get Detailed Market Forecasts at the Most Granular Levels
Download PDF

Competitive Landscape

The U.S. processed pork meat market is moderately fragmented, with established players increasingly adopting vertical integration and capacity expansion strategies, resulting in moderate industry concentration. Smithfield Foods is at the forefront of this consolidation wave, having made several key acquisitions in 2024 and 2025. These include Cargill's Nashville dry sausage facility, Stadler's Country Hams, and RMH Foods, underscoring Smithfield's commitment to broadening its value-added product portfolio. To engage younger consumers and address demographic challenges, Smithfield has launched digital marketing campaigns, including "We Speak Pork" and "Flavor Hails from Smithfield," utilizing platforms like TikTok and various streaming services. Meanwhile, Clemens Food Group strengthened its operations in Pennsylvania by acquiring Kunzler & Co., which added three additional processing facilities and enhanced transportation capabilities, aiming to achieve deeper market penetration in the Mid-Atlantic region with a focus on value-added products.

In response to shifting consumer preferences and increasingly stringent regulatory demands, industry players are focusing on brand differentiation, premium product positioning, and technological advancements. The National Pork Board, marking its most significant consumer outreach in a quarter-century, launched the "Taste What Pork Can Do" campaign. This initiative, bolstered by research into consumer segments like Confident Meat Eaters and Culinary Adventurers, aims to tap into identified growth opportunities. On the tech front, the focus is on automation, traceability, and optimizing yields.

Notably, the USDA has greenlit new antimicrobial systems, such as bacteriophage preparations and peroxyacetic acid treatments. These advancements empower processors to bolster food safety while catering to the rising demand for clean labels. Industry giants like Tyson Foods, Hormel Foods, and JBS USA are doubling down on investments in processing modernization and product innovation, ensuring they remain competitive in both domestic and international markets.

United States Processed Pork Meat Industry Leaders

  1. JBS SA

  2. Marfrig Global Foods SA

  3. Sysco Corporation

  4. Tyson Foods Inc.

  5. WH Group Limited

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
United States Processed Pork Meat Market Concentration
Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.
Need More Details on Market Players and Competitors?
Download PDF

Recent Industry Developments

  • June 2025: Olymel, the Canadian pork and poultry processor, announced a CAD 142 million expansion of its La Fernandière plant in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, to broaden its product range and increase production capacity for both pork and poultry items. The expansion, set to be operational by spring 2026, aims to improve process efficiency through automation and on-site packaging.
  • April 2025: Olymel introduced a new line of Canadian pork products in Quebec grocery stores, including premium cuts like Chimichurri pork flank steak and pork capicola steak, offering consumers more variety for home cooking. This launch was part of a larger brand refresh intended to increase visibility and appeal to consumers seeking high-end cooking experiences at home.
  • March 2025: Prairie Fresh launched new ground pork and sausage products in chub-style packaging, offering a variety of flavors and a plain option for broader culinary use. This move was reinforced by a digital strategy, including QR codes linking to online recipes, which highlights a shift toward supporting and inspiring home chefs.
  • May 2024: Clemens Food Group, a US-based manufacturer, acquired Kunzler & Company Inc., a US-based food manufacturer specializing in various processed pork meat products. This acquisition strengthens Clemens Food Group's processed meat portfolio and expands its market reach.

Table of Contents for United States Processed Pork Meat Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Advancements in processing and packaging technology
    • 4.2.2 Response to "clean label" and premium trends
    • 4.2.3 Extensive foodservice adoption (QSR and Casual Dining)
    • 4.2.4 Focus on high-protein diets
    • 4.2.5 Product innovation and variety
    • 4.2.6 Strategic branding and marketing
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Heightened consumer health concerns regarding processed meats
    • 4.3.2 Robust competition from plant-based and alternative proteins
    • 4.3.3 Strict and complex regulatory environment (USDA, FDA)
    • 4.3.4 Increasing pressure from animal welfare advocacy groups
  • 4.4 Consumer Behaviour Analysis
  • 4.5 Regulatory Landscape
  • 4.6 Technological Outlook
  • 4.7 Porter’s Five Forces
    • 4.7.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.7.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
    • 4.7.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.7.4 Threat of Substitutes
    • 4.7.5 Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECASTS (VALUE AND VOLUME)

  • 5.1 By Product Type
    • 5.1.1 Sausages
    • 5.1.2 Bacon and ham
    • 5.1.3 Deli meats and Cold Cuts
    • 5.1.4 Canned and preserved
    • 5.1.5 Other processed products
  • 5.2 By Nature
    • 5.2.1 Conventional
    • 5.2.2 Organic
  • 5.3 By Distribution Channel
    • 5.3.1 On-Trade
    • 5.3.1.1 Hotels
    • 5.3.1.2 Restaurants
    • 5.3.1.3 Catering
    • 5.3.2 Off-Trade
    • 5.3.2.1 Supermarkets and hypermarkets
    • 5.3.2.2 Convenience stores
    • 5.3.2.3 Specialty meat stores
    • 5.3.2.4 Other Off-Trade Distribution Channels

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Market Concentration
  • 6.2 Strategic Moves
  • 6.3 Market Share Analysis
  • 6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global level Overview, Market level overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for key companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 Smithfield Foods, Inc.
    • 6.4.2 Tyson Foods, Inc.
    • 6.4.3 Hormel Foods Corporation
    • 6.4.4 JBS USA (Swift Prepared Foods)
    • 6.4.5 Seaboard Foods LLC
    • 6.4.6 Clemens Food Group
    • 6.4.7 Indiana Packers Corporation
    • 6.4.8 Sysco Corporation
    • 6.4.9 Applegate Farms LLC
    • 6.4.10 Perdue Farms, Inc.
    • 6.4.11 Swift Prepared Foods (Principe, Plumrose)
    • 6.4.12 Kraft Heinz Company (Oscar Mayer)
    • 6.4.13 Bob Evans Farms
    • 6.4.14 Cargill, Inc. (Protein Division)
    • 6.4.15 Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (Moy Park Pork)
    • 6.4.16 Hatfield Quality Meats
    • 6.4.17 Farbest Foods (pork division)
    • 6.4.18 WH Group Limited (Smithfield Foods)
    • 6.4.19 Maple Leaf Foods (Greenfield U.S.)
    • 6.4.20 Marfrig Global Foods SA

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

You Can Purchase Parts Of This Report. Check Out Prices For Specific Sections
Get Price Break-up Now

United States Processed Pork Meat Market Report Scope

Off-Trade, On-Trade are covered as segments by Distribution Channel.
By Product Type
Sausages
Bacon and ham
Deli meats and Cold Cuts
Canned and preserved
Other processed products
By Nature
Conventional
Organic
By Distribution Channel
On-Trade Hotels
Restaurants
Catering
Off-Trade Supermarkets and hypermarkets
Convenience stores
Specialty meat stores
Other Off-Trade Distribution Channels
By Product Type Sausages
Bacon and ham
Deli meats and Cold Cuts
Canned and preserved
Other processed products
By Nature Conventional
Organic
By Distribution Channel On-Trade Hotels
Restaurants
Catering
Off-Trade Supermarkets and hypermarkets
Convenience stores
Specialty meat stores
Other Off-Trade Distribution Channels
Need A Different Region or Segment?
Customize Now

Market Definition

  • Meat - Meat is defined as the flesh or other edible parts of an animal used for food. The end use of the meat industry consists of only human consumption. Meat is generally purchased from retail outlets for home cooking and consumption. For the market studied, only uncooked meat has been considered. This could be processed in various forms, which have been covered under the “Processed” form. The other purchases of meat happen through the consumption of meat at foodservice outlets (restaurants, hotels, catering, etc.). ​
  • Other Meats - The other meat segment includes the meat of camel, horse, rabbit, etc. These are not so commonly consumed meat types but still, have a presence in distinct parts of the world. Regardless of it being part of red meat, we have considered these meat types separately for a better understanding of the market. ​
  • Poultry Meat - Poultry meat also called white meat, comes from birds raised commercially or domestically for human consumption. This includes chicken, turkey, ducks, and geese.​
  • Red Meat - Red meat typically has a red color when raw and a dark color when cooked. It includes any meat that comes from mammals, such as beef, lamb, pork, goat, veal, and mutton.​
Keyword Definition
A5 It is a Japanese grading system for beef. The 'A' means the carcass yield is the highest possible and the numeric rating relates to beef marbling, color and brightness of the flesh, its texture and color, luster, and fat quality. A5 is the highest mark wagyu beef can score.
Abbatoir It is another name for a slaughterhouse and refers to the premise used for or in connection with the slaughter of animals whose meat is intended for human consumption.
Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) It is a disease that affects shrimp and is characterized by high mortalities, in many cases reaching 100% within 30-35 days of stocking grow-out ponds.
African Swine Fever (ASF) It is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs caused by a double-stranded DNA virus in the Asfarviridae family.
Albacore Tuna It is one of the smallest species of tuna found in the six distinct stocks known globally in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea.
Angus beef It is beef derived from a specific breed of cattle indigenous to Scotland. It requires certification from the American Angus Association to receive the "Certified Angus Beef" quality mark
Bacon It is salted or smoked meat that comes from the back or sides of a pig
Black Angus It is beef derived from a black-hided breed of cows that don't have horns.
Bologna It is an Italian smoked sausage made of meat, typically large and made from pork, beef or veal.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) It is a progressive neurological disorder of cattle that results from infection by an unusual transmissible agent called a prion.
Bratwurst It refers to a type of German sausage made from pork, beef or veal.
BRC British Retail Consortium
Brisket It is a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of beef or veal. The beef brisket is one of the nine beef primal cuts.
Broiler It refers to any chicken (Gallus domesticus) that is bred and raised specifically for meat production.
Bushel It is a unit of measurement for grains and pulses. 1 bushel = 27.216 kg
Carcass It refers to the dressed body of a meat animal from which butchers trim the meat
CFIA Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Chicken Tender It refers to chicken meat prepared from the pectoralis minor muscles of a chicken bird.
Chuck Steak It refers to a cut of beef that is part of the chuck primal, which is a large section of meat from the shoulder area of a cow
Corned Beef It refers to beef brisket cured in brine and boiled, typically served cold.
CWT Also known as a hundredweight, it is a unit of measurement used to define the quantity of meat. 1 CWT = 50.80 kg
Drumstick It refers to a chicken leg without the thigh.
EFSA European Food Safety Authority
ERS Economic Research Service of the USDA
Ewe It is an adult female sheep.
FDA Food and Drug Administration
Fillet Mignon It is a cut of meat taken from the smaller end of the tenderloin.
Flank Steak It is a cut of beef steak taken from the flank, which lies forward of the rear quarter of a cow.
Foodservice It refers to the part of the food industry which includes businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats.
Forage It refers to animal feed.
Foreshank It is the upper part of the foreleg of cattle
Franks Also known as frankfurter or Würstchen, it is a type of highly seasoned smoked sausage popular in Austria and Germany.
FSANZ Food Standards Australia New Zealand
FSIS Food Safety and Inspection Service
FSSAI Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
Gizzard It refers to an organ found in the digestive tract of birds. It is also called the mechanical stomach of a bird.
Gluten It is a family of proteins found in grains, including wheat, rye, spelt, and barley
Grain-fed beef It is beef derived from cattle that have been fed a diet supplemented with soy and corn and other additives. Grainfed cows can also be given antibiotics and growth hormones to fatten them up more quickly.
Grass-fed beef It is beef derived from cattle that have only been fed grass as feed.
Ham It refers to the pork meat taken from the leg of a pig.
HoReCa Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes
Jerky It is lean trimmed meat that has been cut into strips and dried (dehydrated) to prevent spoilage.
Kobe Beef It is Wagyu beef specifically from the Kuroge Washu breed of cows in Japan. To be classified as Kobe beef, the cow must have been born, raised, and slaughtered within the Hyōgo prefecture in the city of Kobe in Japan.
Liverwurst It is type of German sausage made from beef or pork liver.
Loin It refers to the sides between the lower ribs and pelvis, and the lower part of the back of a cow.
Mortadella It is a large Italian sausage or luncheon meat made of finely hashed or ground heat-cured pork, which incorporates at least 15% small cubes of pork fat.
Pastrami It refers to a highly seasoned smoked beef, typically served in thin slices.
Pepperoni It is an American variety of spicy salami made from cured meat.
Plate It refers to a forequarter cut from the belly of a cow, just below the rib cut.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) It is a disease occurring in swine causing late-term reproductive failure and severe pneumonia in neonatal pigs.
Primal cuts It refers to the major sections of the carcass.
Quorn It is a meat substitute product prepared using mycoprotein as an ingredient, in which the fungus culture is dried and mixed with egg albumen or potato protein, which acts as a binder, and then is adjusted in texture and pressed into various forms.
Ready-to-Cook (RTC) It refers to food products that include all of the ingredients, where some preparation or cooking is required through a process that is given on the package.
Ready-to-Eat (RTE) It refers to a food product prepared or cooked in advance, with no further cooking or preparation required before being eaten
Retort Packaging It is a process of aseptic packaging food in which food is filled into a pouch or metal can, sealed, and then heated to extremely high temperatures, rendering the product commercially sterile.
Round Steak It refers to a beef steak from the the rear leg of the cow.
Rump Steak It refers to a cut of beef derived from the division between the leg and the chine.
Salami It is a cured sausage consisting of fermented and air-dried meat.
Saturated fat It is a type of fat in which the fatty acid chains have all single bonds. It is generally considered unhealthy.
Sausage It is a meat product made of finely chopped and seasoned meat, which may be fresh, smoked, or pickled and which is then usually stuffed into a casing.
Scallop It is an edible shellfish that is a mollusk with a ribbed shell in two parts.
Seitan It is a plant-based meat substitute made out of wheat gluten.
Self-service kios It refers to a self-order point-of-sale (POS) system through which customers place and pay for their own orders at kiosks, enabling totally contactless and frictionless service.
Sirloin It is a cut of beef from the bottom and side parts of a cow's back.
Surimi It is a paste made from deboned fish
Tenderloin It refers to a cut of beef consisting of the entire tenderloin muscle of a cow
Tiger Shrimp It refers to a large shrimp variety from the Indian and Pacific oceans
Trans fat Also called trans-unsaturated fatty acids or trans fatty acids, it is a type of unsaturated fat that naturally occurs in small amounts in meat.
Vannamei shrimp It refers to tropical prawns and shrimp that are farmed in areas near the equator, generally along the coast in artificial ponds.
Wagyu Bee It is beef derived from any of four strains of a breed of black or red Japanese cattle that are valued for their highly marbled meat.
Zoosanitary It refers to the cleanliness of animals or animal product
Need More Details on Market Definition?
Ask a Question

Research Methodology

Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.

  • Step-1: Identify Key Variables: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step 1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set, and the model is built on the basis of these variables.​
  • Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period for each country.​
  • Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables, and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.​
  • Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms.
research-methodology
Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.
Get More Details On Research Methodology
Download PDF