Dehydrated Meat Products

Dehydrated Meat Products

Dehydrated meat products are specialty meat preparations that are made from techniques that will just remove the moisture content in the meat hence making the meat light, easily transportable, and which contains most of the original flavor and nutritional value of the actual meat. This process which includes air drying, freeze drying, or smoking produces products such as beef jerky, turkey jerky, and biltongs. Consumers’ preferences are flavor-based bulk foods, convenience foods, long shelf-life foods, and high protein foods particularly in this everyday busy, traveling, and outing life. The market for dehydrated meats has expanded significantly because people can consume products that they can carry through convenient packaging which is meaningful to the busy generation and also the generation is becoming health conscious and is also hungry for high proteins. The market has witnessed new product development such as flavors, texture, and Health and Wellness market apart from growth in the e-commerce segment.

The Dehydrated Meat Products Market is expected to grow at a steady rate of around 4.7% owing to the rising company expansions. For instance, in June 2023, Thrive Foods entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Groneweg Group, a global manufacturer and supplier of freeze and air-dried ingredients. The Company has a diversified customer base across consumer-packaged goods and retail companies. Moreover, growing health consciousness high-protein diets, and increasing innovation and product diversification are leading to the growth of the market and are anticipated to boost the dehydrated meat products market.

• Based on the product type, the market is segmented into jerky, sausage, meat chips, and others. The jerky segment held a significant share of the market in the year 2023 owing to a changing consumer preference for convenience and high protein-based snacking products. This is attributed to a rise in awareness of consumers’ health and dietary requirements and preference for protein-based foods jerky therefore qualifies for on-the-go snack food. Further, the segment has positive product development, such as a broad range of flavors, high-quality ingredients, and new product ranges, including low sodium and gluten-free products that would react to the diverse needs of the population. E-commerce and direct-to-consumer platforms have also helped increase the availability of jerky products and expand the brands’ access to different consumers, thus making purchasing quite easy. Thus, the jerky segment held a prominent share of the market in the year 2023.
• Based on meat type, the market is segmented into chicken, pork, beef, and others. The beef segment is expected to hold the majority share of the market in the forecast period due to its high protein content and delicious taste beef has emerged as the preferred solution for dehydrated meat. This segment’s growth is furthered by innovations in dehydration technology, which helps maintain the palatability and nutrient content of food and at the same time increases shelf life. Furthermore, the increasing market for outdoor events like trekking, backpacking, and camping has contributed to increasing the consumer’s interest in carrying easy-to-carry and lightweight beef products. Also, the increasing trend of high-protein diets and increasing avenues of retailers and online channels are fueling the market even further. Thus, the beef segment to hold a majority share of the market in the upcoming years among the meat types.
• Based on the technology, the market is segmented into freeze-dried, hot air-dried, and others. The freeze-dried segment is expected to experience significant growth in the forecast period owing to its enhanced preservation characteristic and increased demand for better quality shelf-stable meat products. This technique utilizes water vapor to freeze the product and then dehydration eliminates the ice causing the moisture to sublimate back to the gas phase thereby maintaining the high quality of the product apart from the normal dehydration techniques. Thus, the final product is light in weight and has a much longer shelf life, which makes it suitable especially for convenience products and outdoor food. The market niches comprising gourmet and specialty foods, and the continually maturing market for emergency foods or survival foods have all helped to solidify the overall demand for freeze-dried meat. With improvements continuing to provide better quality and lower costs in freeze-drying, this segment has the potential to maintain the proper growth rate in the emerging dehydrated meat product market. Thus, the freeze-dried segment is expected to grow at a significant rate in the forecast period among the technology.
• For a better understanding of the market adoption of dehydrated meat products, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in countries such as North America (U.S., Canada, and the Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), and Rest of World. North America held the majority share of the market in the year 2023 owing to the consumers’ preference for convenience products or snacks such as beef jerky, turkey jerky, and other dried meats. This growth is driven by several factors such as extended and fast-paced schedules that require portable meat snacks, a growing concern about health leading to the popularity and intake of products with a high protein content as well as recognized brand names. For instance, in February 2024, U.S.-based Bansk Group, a consumer-focused private investment firm dedicated to building distinctive consumer brands, acquired No Man's Land Foods LLC, a premium meat snacks brand primarily sold in the convenience channel. Thus, amongst areas, North America held a significant share of the market in the year 2023.
• Some of the major players operating in the market include Cargill, Incorporated; LINK SNACKS, INC.; Tyson Foods, Inc.; Stryve Biltong; Old Trapper Smoked Products; Country Archer Provisions; Hormel Foods Corporation; EPIC Provisions; FIELD TRIP SNACKS; KRAVE PURE FOODS, INC.