Beef: Still the Classic Choice for Dinner

Shoppers aren’t backing down on beef, despite rising prices. According to Circana data, beef volume sales only dropped by 0.5% over the past year, even with an average price increase of 6.1%. In fact, beef now holds 53.7% of meat dollar sales, representing a 1.5% rise from the previous year.

Tom Barnes, CEO of Category Partners LLC, captures the essence of beef’s continued popularity: “A significant portion of shoppers are willing to continue to purchase beef at these higher prices, and there is only one justification for the purchase: it tastes great.”

Ground beef, in particular, remains a favorite among consumers. Despite a 6.4% price increase, bringing the cost to $5.02 per pound, volume sales still grew by 1.4%. Chris DuBois from Circana calls this an “amazing feat in this type of marketplace,” emphasizing that even a small increase in growth is significant.

Convenience Drives Beef’s Popularity

Convenience is a key driver in beef’s enduring appeal, particularly with grinds. Consumers appreciate the ease of using ground beef in a variety of recipes, contributing to its strong sales. This aligns with the broader foodservice trend, as many foodservice suppliers are also venturing into retail, aiming to meet the growing demand for prepared and ready-to-eat foods.

During our recent visit to the National Restaurant Show at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center, we were reminded of how much consumers crave convenience in their food choices. We even managed to grab a selfie with the famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile! It’s clear that demand for hot, fresh, and prepared foods is far from waning.

In summary, beef continues to dominate the market, with its unbeatable combination of taste, convenience, and value making it a top choice for shoppers, even as prices rise.