Europe Processed Meat Market Size (2024 - 2029)

Europe Processed Meat Market Analysis

The Europe Processed Meat Market size is estimated at USD 38.36 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 40.83 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 1.26% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The processed meat industry has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple outbreaks have occurred in the factories operated by the meatpacking and poultry processing industries. These outbreaks affected dozens of plants, leading to the closures of some factories and the disruption of others, and posed a significant threat to the meat supply. However, consumers tend to prefer processed meat due to its health benefits, and the supply of processed meat through online channels has boosted the market.

Processed minced beef has increased its share of the total beef volume sold, probably due to its lower price and versatility in contemporary dishes. The increasing popularity of cooking sauces, especially pasta sauces, is a major reason for the increase in mince's share of beef sales. Factors like changing lifestyles, demand for convenience food, and an increase in disposable income are contributing to the growth of the processed meat market in Europe. Consumers increasingly demand ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook meat products with better taste and quality. Increasing consumer awareness and acceptance of the convenience of meat products is an important factor driving the market's growth. For instance, in 2021, JBS, the largest global protein company and the world's second-largest food industry, acquired control of Spanish company BioTech Foods and built a new plant in Spain to scale up production.

The increasing awareness about the risks associated with using nitrate for curing purposes in processed meat has encouraged manufacturers to replace nitrate with other curing agents, like celery powder, to achieve the same effect. Such factors are boosting the demand for nitrite-free processed meat products, such as bacon products, in European countries and providing a great platform for the players to meet the growing demand by launching guilt-free bacon (nitrite-free bacon) through various retail channels.

Europe Processed Meat Industry Segmentation

Processed meat is considered to be any meat that has been modified to either improve its taste or extend its shelf life. Meat processing methods include salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, and adding chemical preservatives.

Europe's processed meat market is segmented by type into poultry, beef, pork, mutton, and other types, by product type into chilled processed meat and frozen processed meat, and by distribution channel into supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, online retail stores, and other distribution channels. The market is segmented by geography into Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, Russia, and the Rest of Europe. For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts have been done based on value (in USD million).