The pork industry is currently facing challenges due to its high efficiency, producing more pork than consumers are buying, partly due to outdated perceptions of pork being dry and concerns over trichinosis, which are no longer relevant thanks to modern farming practices. Additionally, marketing pork as “the other white meat” may have inadvertently highlighted its higher cost compared to chicken, and religious dietary restrictions further limit its market. Despite these challenges, demand for pork is 9% lower than it was two decades ago, while production has increased by 25%. To address this surplus, industry insiders suggest focusing on bacon, a universally beloved product, to stimulate domestic consumption and explore expanding markets overseas. Innovations like quick-cook bacon and ready-to-eat pork products, such as deboned ham and pre-seasoned cuts, are being developed to appeal to consumers seeking convenience. This strategic shift towards emphasizing convenience and leveraging the popularity of bacon may rekindle interest in pork, offering a potential pathway for the industry to navigate its current predicament.
https://thetakeout.com/america-has-too-much-pork-sell-bacon-new-prepared-foods-1851248643
