The price of bacon in the United States fluctuates from year to year but overall it has increased significantly over the last decade. As of 2024, a pound of sliced bacon retailed for around **** U.S. dollars. This figure constitutes an increase of about *** percent compared to the price in 2023. Bacon is a popular breakfast food as well as a typical ingredient in sandwiches, burgers, and occasionally salads. Top-selling bacon brands Excluding private label brands, Oscar Mayer was the leading refrigerated bacon brand in the United States, with sales of *** million U.S. dollars in 2023. Private label bacon had higher sales that year, at *** million U.S. dollars. Other popular brands include Hormel and Smithfield. Oscar Mayer is owned and operated by Kraft Heinz, which is the second leading vendor of refrigerated bacon in the United States. American breakfast foods Eggs, bacon, oatmeal, and pancakes are a few of the quintessential American breakfast foods that are found in kitchens and pantries across the country. Though preferences vary considerably from person to person, some of the most commonly preferred breakfast foods among Americans are eggs, hash browns/potatoes, and French toast/pancakes/waffles.

Pre-packaged, thick sliced, regular sliced or thin sliced pork bacon, regardless of process state."

The average retail price of bacon in Canada hit an all-time high of **** Canadian dollars per *** grams in December 2021 and again in August 2022. This price has decreased as of March 2024 to ****.
American vs. Canadian bacon Bacon is a pork product which is commonly smoked or cured and eaten as a breakfast item. Bacon eaten in Canada, otherwise known as back bacon, is different to its American counterpart - American bacon, or streaky bacon, comes from the belly of the pig, whilst Canadian bacon comes from the pork loin. There is a difference in appearance as well as in taste, with American bacon containing a lot more fat than its leaner counterpart. Pork industry in Canada The volume of pork produced in Canada amounted to around *** million metric tons in 2022, this is an increase of over ******* metric tons since 2010. Whilst production has increased over time, consumption has gradually decreased . Pork consumption in Canada amounted to an estimated **** kilograms of carcass weight per capita in 2022, almost ** kilograms less than in 1980. Canadian consumers’ views on eating less meat could be one reason for this decrease.

In January 2017, the average retail price of Bacon was approximately 3.9 British pounds per kilogram. During the same month in the preceding seven years, prices were higher and followed a downward trend only broken in January 2013 and 2014. By January 2017 prices had dropped by 62pence per kilogram as compared to 2010.

Price components

The retail price is made up of two components. The farm price, which reflects the cost of production and the farm to retail price spread, which accounts for the retail process itself, shipping and processing. In the case of UK bacon, the latter accounts for 60 to 70 percent of the retail price. The price increase in the beginning of 2013 and 2014 was due to an increased farm price.

UK market

Market volumes for bacon and ham have been dropping in recent years and are forecast to stagnate. Per capita consumption in the UK is expected to slightly decrease. Consequently, imports have also seen a downward trend in volume since 2009. Exports have fluctuated since 2003 with an overall upward trend since 2013.

Bacon producers will likely display a robust performance over the next several years. Current trends suggest that revenue will consistently expand over the five years to 2024 and continue to inch up until 2029. This promising trajectory is backed by a rich historical precedent of steady growth. Buyers have consistently shown a willingness to pay premium prices for bacon because of its unique taste and versatility, fostering a thriving industry that has proved resilient even during economic downturns. Particular factors contributing to this promising upward trend include a surge in per capita disposable income and changes in the poultry market. With rising disposable income, consumers have been more willing to spend money on high-quality food products, including bacon. The result has been a significant boost to the industry that is expected to persist as long as income levels continue to strengthen. In particular, bacon producers’ revenue will expand at an estimated CAGR of 3.3% to reach $8.3 billion in 2024, despite a 3.3% dip in revenue in 2024 alone. Meanwhile, profit will relatively steady, representing 5.1% in 2024. Furthermore, the price of poultry meat has also played an essential role. Over the past few years, the cost of poultry has shot up. High poultry prices have encouraged many consumers to switch their protein source, and bacon has continually emerged as a popular alternative. Its unique flavour and versatility make it a favoured option for many, further fueling demand. Overall, expansion among bacon producers is set to continue, buoyed by boosted per capita disposable income and high poultry prices. These trends attest to the underlying strength and resilience of the sector, which has a proven capacity to weather diverse market conditions while maintaining steady expansion. Given the ongoing positive economic factors and consumer preferences, the outlook for the bacon industry is considerably promising through the end of 2029. In that regard, revenue will inch up at a CAGR of an expected 0.8% to reach $8.6 billion in 2029.

In 2024, the U.S. retail price for one pound of pork chops amounted to 4.31 U.S. dollars. While the cost of pork chops (center cut, bone-in) has fluctuated over the past few decades, the average price has been closer to the four-dollar mark in recent years and was closer to the three U.S. dollars per pound in the 90s and early 2000s. Average expenditure on pork In the United States, consumers from Midwestern and Western states specifically, spent the most on pork in 2022. The average annual expenditure on pork per consumer unit was the lowest in the South. Types of pork There are various types of organic pork sold in the United States, including sliced bacon and dinner sausage. The most expensive category of organic pork in the United States in 2022 was sliced bacon, which cost consumers an average of nearly 18 U.S. dollars per pound. Pork is also available in different cut types, such as chops, roasts, and shoulder. Pork chops and ribs were among the favorites, generating the highest dollar sales in the United States in 2019.

Monthly average retail prices for selected products, for Canada and provinces. Prices are presented for the current month and the previous four months. Prices are based on transaction data from Canadian retailers, and are presented in Canadian current dollars.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Food Hydrocolloids market size will be USD 4598.5 million in 2025. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.00% from 2025 to 2033.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 1701.45 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% from 2025 to 2033.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 1333.57 million.
APAC held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 1103.64 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% from 2025 to 2033.
South America has a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 174.74 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% from 2025 to 2033.
The Middle East had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 183.94 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from 2025 to 2033.
Africa had a market share of around 1% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 101.17 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2025 to 2033.
Pectin and guar gum category is the fastest growing segment of the Food Hydrocolloids industry

Market Dynamics of Food Hydrocolloids Market

Key Drivers for Food Hydrocolloids Market

Rising Demand for Clean Label Products to Boost Market Growth

The rising demand for clean-label products is a significant driver in the market, fueled by growing consumer awareness of health and wellness. Consumers increasingly prefer products with transparent ingredient lists, free from artificial additives, preservatives, and chemicals. This shift is further supported by stringent regulations promoting product transparency and safety. Additionally, the trend towards organic, non-GMO, and minimally processed foods is driving manufacturers to reformulate products with natural ingredients. Companies investing in clean-label innovations and sustainable sourcing are gaining a competitive edge. This increasing demand is particularly evident in the food, beverage, and personal care sectors. For instance, In March 2024, Umaro Foods secured $3.8 million in a crucial funding round spearheaded by AgFunder, enabling the company to significantly scale up its production capabilities for its innovative, seaweed-derived bacon alternative. This strategic investment will fuel the expansion of their operations, bolster research and development, and accelerate market penetration, ultimately aiming to meet the growing demand for sustainable and plant-based protein options.

https://agfundernews.com/umaro-foods-raises-3-8m-in-new-financing-as-it-scales-up-meat-free-bacon-at-half-the-cost-of-animal-bacon#:~:text=Umaro%20Foods%20has%20raised%20%243.8,the%20cost%20of%20animal%20bacon.

Growing convenience food demand boosts market To Boost Market Growth

The growing demand for convenience food is a significant driver of market growth, fueled by changing lifestyles, urbanization, and increased disposable incomes. Consumers seek quick, ready-to-eat meals and on-the-go snacks, leading to a surge in packaged and processed food products. Additionally, advancements in food preservation, packaging, and supply chain logistics ensure longer shelf life and wider availability. The rise of e-commerce platforms and food delivery services further accelerates market expansion. Health-conscious product innovations, including functional and fortified foods, also contribute to demand. This consumer shift towards convenience drives manufacturers to expand product portfolios, enhancing market growth.

Restraint Factor for the Food Hydrocolloids Market

Fluctuations in raw material costs impact production expenses

Fluctuations in raw material costs significantly impact production expenses, posing a key restraint for various industries. Sudden price increases in essential materials, such as metals, chemicals, or petroleum-based products, can lead to higher manufacturing costs. This reduces profit margins, especially for companies with fixed-price contracts or those unable to pass the increased costs onto consumers. Additionally, volatile supply chains and geopolitical factors exacerbate price instability, making ...

In the meat and meat products retail sector, industry players are exposed to constant market change. Both the nutritional and purchasing behaviour of consumers are having an impact on the sector and increasing external competition with supermarkets and discounters. In addition, we are seeing increased branchisation and consolidation within the sector. Due to the restrictions in the out-of-home market, consumers increasingly consumed meat at home during the coronavirus crisis, which meant that more meat was purchased from industry players. This trend has largely reversed in recent years, meaning that sales only grew by an average of 1.3% per year between 2019 and 2024. In the current year, turnover is expected to fall by 0.3% to 2.6 billion euros. Meat consumption in Germany is on a long-term downward trend, with consumers having reduced their consumption of pork in particular. Increased nutritional and health awareness has led to an increasing number of flexitarians, a type of consumer who predominantly eats a vegetarian diet. At the same time, poultry meat consumption has risen, as poultry meat, which is lower in fat and easier to digest, is enjoying growing demand and has been able to limit major sales losses. Stable demand for meat and meat products from organic livestock farming has also had a positive impact on the sector. As net household incomes rise, household spending on meat and meat products is also increasing, and consumers are prepared to pay higher prices for high-quality products to a certain extent. However, the pressure on industry players will remain high in the coming years. A wide range of meat products and fresh food counters in supermarkets and discounters will increase price competition in the sector. Although net household incomes are likely to continue to rise, changes in purchasing behaviour, inflation and a lack of young talent in the specialist retail sector pose further challenges for industry players. However, increased consumer awareness of quality, regionality and animal welfare should boost demand among specialised meat retailers. IBISWorld expects turnover to increase by an average of 1.6% per year over the next five years up to and including 2029, reaching 2.8 billion euros.

The UK meat product manufacturing industry has recently experienced a period of extremely volatile revenue. Tumultuous inflation levels have played a major part, with household budgets fluctuating in recent years. This has fed into demand for meat products following suit as households have either dropped the discretionary items from their shopping baskets or been able to splash out. As well as impacting revenue, this has caused profit to expand and contract as input prices rise and fall. Changing consumer tastes, propelled by health and wellness trends, have also impacted the industry as meat goes in and out of fashion. Over the five years through 2025-26, revenue is anticipated to climb at a compound annual rate of 2.0% to reach just shy of £8.1 billion. More recently, inflation has not been working in the industry’s favour, with an anticipated uptick in 2025 causing households to re-evaluate their meat product consumption and cut back to cut costs. In addition, though more people are adding more meat into their diets, thanks to the surging popularity of protein, this is unlikely to turn meat products’ fortunes around. This is because more people are looking to balance their diets with meat with enhanced nutritional value by upping their protein and cutting back on processed foods. This could raise demand for some meat products, but due to their high fat and salt content it’s more likely that consumers will choose leaner meat options if they seek these benefits. In addition to this, while a new UK-EU trade deal opens up doors abroad, it could expand domestic competition in an already highly competitive market due to the homogenous products on offer. These issues have worked together to drive an anticipated drop of 5.5% in industry revenue in 2025-26. A worsening of labour shortages, fickle consumer trends and growing environmental consciousness make it difficult for businesses to react, dulling industry outlook potential. With the stability of supply shrinking and the cost of production rising to meet environmental regulations, manufacturers are likely to exit the industry as profit is slashed. Additionally, while consumer budgets are likely to relax as inflation subsides, uncertainty surrounding the next popular food items means the industry cannot put all its hope on the protein trend. This is especially true as rising health consciousness indicates a cutback on meat products. Therefore, revenue is projected to slump at a compound annual rate of 4.8% over the five years through 2030-31 to £6.3 billion.

The Ghanian bacon and ham market skyrocketed to $2.3M in 2024, picking up by 77% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption saw a strong increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.