The processed meat market size in Europe was valued at USD 2.35 billion in 2023. The European market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.98% from 2024 to 2029 and be worth USD 3.33 billion by 2029 from USD 2.49 billion in 2024.
Processed meat is similar to fresh meat and has been smoked, hardened, salted, and fermented for preservative purposes. Since processed meat is a cooked product, it reduces the number of microorganisms and increases the shelf life of spam. Processed meat is a generic term for meat products that have been modified and fortified with various additives. The most used additives include sugar, salt, minerals, oils, preservative blends, flavors, acidulants, and other seasonings. The curing of meat is done to improve flavor and quality, extend shelf life, and improve the overall flavor. Meat can also be processed through cooking, smoking, and fermentation, which in turn helps reduce the potential for unwanted microbial growth in the product. These processed meat products are a rich source of essential nutrients, including vitamins, protein, selenium, minerals, niacin, choline, and riboflavin. These products contain high concentrations of cholesterol and preservatives that are considered unhealthy, but the improved taste and convenience associated with processed meats are driving the market growth.
As the consumption of meat increases among the population, the demand for processed meat increases around the European region. The rapid growth of the e-commerce sector will also help the growth of the European processed Meat market by offering a variety of meat snacks for online shopping. The size of the Europe Processed Meat market will witness significant growth due to the growth of the food industry. The increase in working women, disposable income, and busy working hours led to higher meat consumption. The market is largely driven by the growing demand for ready-to-eat meat products around Europe. This is driven by rapid urbanization, rising per capita income levels, and shifting preferences in the public consciousness. The growing awareness of the risks associated with the increased use of nitrates for hardening purposes in processed meat products has forced manufacturers to replace them with healthier products.
In addition, many players are investing heavily in extensive research and development (R&D) activities to formulate safer alternatives to chemicals used in European processed Meat. There is also a growing demand for organic processed meats that are free of antibiotics and chemical residues. Because of this, players have adopted meat from certified organic farms to preserve the authenticity of their products. They are also providing a driving force for Europe's Processed Meat market growth by widely replacing synthetic preservatives with natural alternatives. In addition to this, the demand for protein of animal origin has increased significantly among individuals. This may be due to growing consumer awareness of consuming nutrient-rich packaged product variants.
The European processed Meat market is growing in popularity with international cuisine. Driven by the rapid expansion of online and organized retail around the region, this is creating a positive outlook for the European processed Meat market. Additionally, numerous Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chains, restaurants, hotels, as well as retail and convenience stores offer a variety of products with processed meat as a key ingredient. The increasing development and use of innovative meat processing technologies are creating opportunities in the European Processed Meat market. The growing awareness of a diet rich in animal protein and the growing demand for processed and convenience products have made it a major driver of the European processed Meat market. The busy schedule and busy lifestyle led by working professionals also drove the sale of processed meat products. The growing awareness of the risks associated with using nitrates for toughening purposes in processed meats has allowed manufacturers to achieve the same effect by replacing nitrates with other hardeners such as celery powder. The European region is expected to experience high growth rates driven by higher demand for processed meat and poultry products, driven by changes in consumer lifestyles and higher disposable income. Consumer convenience and demand for quality processed foods are also increasing.
High intake of processed meat products can lead to increased obesity and diabetes, which can hamper the Europe Processed Meat market growth. The increasing adoption of processed foods among consumers is another factor that slows the growth of the European processed Meat market. The high demand for healthy foods and the increasing adoption of vegan and vegetarian diets are hampering the growth of the European processed Meat market. Processed meat also faces health problems due to consumer fears of illnesses such as bird flu. Another problem facing the market is contamination and poor quality of food. As regulations related to poultry and meat safety increase, prices are even higher, and markets are limited.
Impact of COVID-19 on the Europe processed meat market:
Processed meat manufacturing and sales companies face production challenges. The European processed Meat market has slowed as the coronavirus closes factories and shuts down the supply chain entirely, and companies are also facing challenges due to the availability of raw materials and shortages of labor and resources during the coronavirus outbreak.
This research report on the Europe processed meat market has been segmented and sub-segmented into the following categories.
Europe Processed Meat Market – By Processing Type:
The frozen segment accounted for the largest share of the European market in 2023 and is expected to grow at a prominent CAGR during the forecast period due to increased demand for food service, but demand is declining due to its short shelf life. Frozen accounts for a significant part and has increased due to the increased use and long shelf life of hot dogs and salami. Canned foods make up an important part of what is used in everyday meals.
Europe Processed Meat Market – By Product Type:
Poultry occupies an important part due to its low production cost, low cholesterol content, and high protein content. Pork has a significant share of the processed meat market and is expected to increase as demand for products such as bacon, hot dogs, trotters, and hamburgers increases. Consumption of beef and lamb has increased in Middle Eastern countries.
Europe Processed Meat Market – By Distribution Channel:
Based on the distribution channel, the supermarkets segment occupies an important part because urban and semi-urban populations prefer them due to the availability and ease of comparison of products.
Europe Processed Meat Market – By Country:
The processed meat sector in Europe is expected to be driven by product premiumization, and meat consumption remains a popular inclusion across a variety of tastes. Spain's processed meat market anticipates significant growth due to a growing population and a stronger retail sector. The growing preference for premium processed brands, especially through online retail channels, is one of the key factors driving the growth of the UK Processed Meat market. The increase in meat consumption in France Processed Meat is creating valuable opportunities for the main players. Consumers switched to convenience, sandwiches, and immediate consumption, making processed meat a trending product in the German processed Meat market.
KEY MARKET PLAYERS:
Companies that play a leading role in the Europe processed meat market include Cherkizovo Group, Cargill Inc., Hormel Foods, Foster Farms, National Beef, Marfrig Group, Perdue Farms, Nippon Meat Packers Inc., Smithfield Foods Inc., Sadia SA, Pilgrim's Pride, Shuanghui International, Sanderson Farms Inc., and Tyson Foods Inc.
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