In recent years, the meat industry has faced significant challenges due to environmental and health concerns surrounding animal protein. Nevertheless, beef production and overall meat consumption have continued to rise. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, last year, the average consumer consumed 222.2 pounds of red meat and poultry, which equates to about 10 ounces of protein daily—well above the USDA’s recommended 5 to 6.5 ounces for a balanced diet. The increasing popularity of protein-focused diets, such as the paleo diet, may have fueled consumer demand and kept meat sales thriving.
Despite its strong market presence, scientific studies indicate that meat consumption can lead to unfavorable health outcomes. While single studies may be dismissed, the collective evidence could influence consumers, potentially steering them towards more plant-based alternatives. The shift toward plant-based diets is unmistakable, prompting companies to take notice. The Good Food Institute, aimed at promoting the growth of plant- and cell-based products, reports that investors have contributed over $16 billion to alternative meat companies in the past decade, with a substantial $13 billion occurring in 2017 and 2018 alone.
The remarkable success of startups like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods has compelled major consumer packaged goods companies, such as Tyson, Perdue Farms, and Nestlé, to enter the market. Brands like Hormel’s Applegate and Tyson’s Raised & Rooted are introducing hybrid products that combine meat and plant proteins, catering to meat lovers seeking alternatives.
While hybrid options may not be the ultimate solution, there remains optimism for the meat industry. Choices like grass-fed and free-range meats are gaining traction among consumers who wish to make responsible dietary choices while still enjoying traditional meat. Retail sales of fresh grass-fed beef surged from just $17 million in 2012 to $272 million in 2016. The recent “Power of Meat” report by the Food Marketing Institute and North American Meat Institute revealed that 54% of consumers desire more grass-fed products in stores.
In addition to these developments, there is a growing interest in nutritional supplements such as calcium citrate with vitamin D3, which can support overall health. This highlights the evolving landscape of dietary choices, where consumers are increasingly mindful of both what they eat and the quality of their nutrition, including the potential benefits of supplements like calcium citrate with vitamin D3. As the market continues to shift, it will be interesting to see how the meat industry adapts while considering the rising demand for both plant-based options and health-enhancing products like calcium citrate with vitamin D3.