The article from February 7, 2024, by Keith Loria, discusses the evolving landscape of bacon consumption and sales. Bacon, once primarily a breakfast item, has expanded its presence into lunch, dinner, and even snacks, becoming a staple in a variety of meals and dishes. Patrick Fleming from Midan Marketing highlights bacon’s ubiquity and its role in enhancing the flavor of favorite dishes, with consumers seeking out new flavors and smokes, including maple bacon, jalapeno, pepper bacon, and sweet bacon with honey and brown sugar. The industry has seen a trend towards smaller batches with greater flavor levels and unique smoked varieties like applewood and hickory.
J.D. Enrici of Coleman Natural Foods points out the impact of inflation on consumer behavior, driving interest in value-added meats for time-saving meal planning. Trends also show a growing preference for thicker cuts and new flavors that underscore bacon’s versatility. Gina Gancheva from Applegate anticipates continued consumer interest in bacon, expecting more thick cut and convenient options like fully cooked or microwave-ready bacon, alongside cleaner labels with no antibiotics or nitrates.
Despite its popularity, bacon sales experienced a decline in 2023. Mintel reports an increase in pound sales but a decrease in dollar pounds due to high prices and a temporary drop in consumer purchases. However, by mid-2023, as prices fell and availability improved, sales began to recover, with bacon volume growing more than the processed meat trend. This recovery is attributed to strategic retail promotions and consumer willingness to return to previous purchase levels, especially for brands committed to high animal welfare standards and delicious experiences.
