Per capita pork consumption

Pork consumption remained resilient in 2025, supported by stable demand among at-risk populations and heightened consumer interest in affordable and convenient protein options such as frozen meats, sausages and bacon. These products have maintained their appeal due to their convenience for preparing home meals, helping pork consumption volumes increase by 0.6% to 50.1 pounds per capita despite fluctuations in meat prices and cost-of-living pressures. These trends demonstrate the ongoing preference for value, convenience and staple proteins in the face of persistent inflationary risk.

Between 2020 and 2025, per capita pork consumption saw moderate fluctuations, influenced primarily by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflationary pressures, and changing consumer preferences. In 2020 and 2021, consumption remained subdued due to the temporary closure of foodservice establishments and consumer uncertainty, with consumers slowly readjusting their lifestyles. The reopening of restaurants led to a recovery in 2022, as more consumers returned to dining out and prepared fewer meals at home. However, high food prices and persistent inflation in 2023 reduced discretionary spending and shifted consumer priorities, resulting in a decrease in pork consumption, as meats are typically considered normal or luxury goods. While the easing of inflation in 2024 temporarily increased pork consumption, ongoing competition from alternatives such as poultry limited the extent of the rebound. Fluctuating pork prices and concerns about the cost of living continued to drive cautious purchasing decisions among households. Poultry has continued to exert downward pressure on pork consumption by remaining a cheaper and often perceived healthier option.

The modest overall growth in pork consumption over the 2020 to 2025 period highlights the sensitive interplay among macroeconomic conditions, inflation, and consumer sentiment. Recovery from pandemic-era uncertainty was uneven, with cost factors outweighing any temporary boosts provided by improved accessibility and dining activity. While pork remained a staple protein, its demand proved highly elastic in response to both consumer incomes and the changing competitive landscape in the protein market. This will result in consumption falling at CAGR of 0.5% over the five years to 2025.