The 2005/2006 Market Outlook for the U.S. Process Meats Industry (With Long-Term Forecasts Through 2014)

The processed meat industry produces sausage, processed pork, canned meats, and other processed meats. The industry has faced many challenges in recent years, yet it has managed to thrive through the use of effective advertising and the development of new products. The industry has also benefited from a shift in consumer attitudes toward meat consumption, brought on by the recent popularity of low-carbohydrate diets. In addition, the U.S. economy has been on the road to recovery since the 2001 recession, and consumer confidence is once again on the rise.

The processed meat industry has responded to concerns regarding bacterial contamination by investing in new technology that improves the quality of meat and ensures the safety of the supply. On the other side of the coin, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), otherwise known as "mad cow" disease, reared its ugly head within U.S. borders for the first time in December 2003.