Meat & poultry is a major segment of processed food where processed meat is produced by meat products from animal fat and muscle meat. Wide consumption of meat is driving the demand for processed meat globally. Rising population and increasing disposable income in emerging economies such as Latin American and the Asia Pacific are bolstering the global processed meat market.

Pork is one of the most consumed red meat that is often consumed unprocessed. However, cured or preserved pork products are also widely consumed. These include smoked pork, ham, bacon, and sausages. Additionally, it is the third most highly meat in the United States. In 2018, the per capita consumption of pork in the United States was 23.049 kg/capita. However, China held the leading position, with 30.438 kg/capita in the same year.

There is a projected increase in global meat consumption, including a doubling in the consumption of poultry, a 69% increase in beef, and a 42% increase in pork. The growing per capita consumption of processed meat products red meat across various countries, is driving the demand for the market significantly.

Due to the high consumption and demand for meat, many companies are investing in the processed meat business for a high return of profit. For instance, in 2016, Siniora Food Industries acquired Diamond Meat Processing a UAE based company for USD 12 million. The acquisition aims to diversify and expand the product portfolio of the company.

Moreover, in 2016, a wholesale giant company Costco invested USD 180 million to develop its own poultry farm so that the farm can produce one-third of all its chickens including raw meat. Such investments are targeted to expand production and business opportunity of processed meat soon.

How could Global Processed Meat Market address COVID-19 concern?

According to the reports of the World Organization for Animal Health, there is no known effect of COVID-19 on Poultry, Fish, or Meat. The World Animal Health Organization in its report has stated that the virus is transmitted predominantly through human to human interaction.

As a matter of fact, poultry has not been found to be involved in the transmission of coronavirus to human so far in any report and as this sector is credited with more than 35 percent of the nutritional value of the food in the daily diet, any misconception will have a negative effect on such parameters.

The gloomy part is that the farmers involved in these sectors are facing the undue brunt because of some rumors around coronavirus in poultry, fish, and meat.

Coronavirus is not transmitted through food – be it chicken or meat. There is no scientific or medical evidence to show chicken or milk is transmitting Coronavirus.

In fact, there is no scientific evidence backing the claim that Coronavirus is spreading through chickens. If one is properly cleaning and cooking food items, especially meat, one should be safe and healthy.