M. Shahbandeh
Research expert covering agriculture & FMCG
Pork market in the U.S. - statistics & facts
Pork is the most consumed red meat worldwide followed by beef and veal. Between 2000 and 2023, the global consumption of pork increased by over 30 million metric tons. In the U.S., however, consumption of pork has remained steady in the past years and is projected to grow by 2.5 pounds per capita in the next ten years.
U.S. pork exports have generally increased since 2007, and in 2023 the total carcass weight of pork exports was around seven billion pounds. In the last decade, the value of U.S. pork and pork products exports exceeded its pork products import value.
The U.S. is among the biggest pork producers in the world
The United States had the third largest pork production volume worldwide after China and the European Union. To account for the global demand for pork products, the U.S. was home to approximately 74 million hogs and pigs as of 2024. That year, Iowa was the state with the highest inventory, holding over one third of the total hogs and pigs in the United States.U.S. pork exports have generally increased since 2007, and in 2023 the total carcass weight of pork exports was around seven billion pounds. In the last decade, the value of U.S. pork and pork products exports exceeded its pork products import value.
Consumers have become more sensitive to rising prices
Domestically, pork remains a popular food item. Of all pork products, fresh pork was the leading category with sales totaling about seven billion U.S. dollars in 2023. That year, bacon was the best-selling type of processed pork, led by the private label segment. In recent years, the retail price of pork chops has increased, reaching its highest value in 2022. In that same year, the most important purchasing factor regarding pork for consumers was the price, which largely outranked other purchasing factors. The average retail prices of pork are forecast to increase further in the coming years. Food inflation has resulted in Americans becoming more price sensitive in recent years. In 2023, three out of four consumers in the U.S. stated that price had a great or somewhat great impact on their grocery shopping decisions.
