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Consumers gobbling up meat snacks, beef seeing stiff competition

An push to eat healthier is spurring more protein-based meat snacks consumption in past five years.

August 5, 2015

Consumers are devouring salted meat snacks a heck of a lot more than they did five years ago, with beef jerky and assorted dehydrated meat snack consumption up 18 percent in the last five years, according to new NPD Group research.

The increasing consumption is due to consumers trying to eat healthier and boost protein intake, states the report. The longtime favorite beef option is also getting some serious competition from Turkey jerky. Shipments of the alternative meat snack have tripled in 2015, as compared to the same timeframe last year. Other meat snacks include salmon, elk, bison and buffalo.

"Meat snacks are an example of not all snacks being equal in terms of meeting different consumer needs," said Annie Roberts, VP of NPD’s food market research division SupplyTrack, in an announcement. "Knowing the needs products address is important in making sure you’re getting the right products in the right places for the right people."

Of those polled regarding meat snack behavior, 24 percent of adults are grabbing the snacks for their protein. One ounce of beef or turkey jerky can deliver as much as 13 grams of protein and are typically low in fat.

Meat snacking is most popular between lunch and dinner and as a late night snack, according to the announcement and the younger crowd, those between ages 18 and 24, are more likely to graze on meat snacks during the day. Men eat more meat snacks than women though females are increasing consumption, stated the announcement.