Ag Daily
Although the pandemic has turned our world upside done, it also shed a light on consumers buying habits. Americans are buying more beef, pork, poultry, and lamb than ever as increased time at home during the pandemic sent meat grocery sales soaring by 20 percent (IRI) from 2019 to 2020.
The national analysis released today shows that three out of every four Americans agree meat belongs in healthy, balanced diets (up by nearly 20 percent since 2020), and 94 percent say they buy meat because it provides high-quality protein.
Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts said, “Americans feel better than ever about choosing meat as part of healthy, balanced diets. With COVID-19 deepening demand for convenient, affordable food that tastes good and matches Americans’ values, meat fits the bill.”
Nearly all American households (98.4 percent) purchased meat in 2020 (IRI), and 43 percent of Americans now buy more meat than before the pandemic — primarily because they are preparing more meals at home.