OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (RFD NEWS) — Leaders in the protein sector are gathering this week for the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Spring Conference, where discussions focus on the latest trends in global meat consumption and emerging opportunities for pork.
One bright spot drawing attention this year is the growing popularity of the “Boston Butt Pork Burger.”
Andy Tauer with the National Pork Board joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report from Oklahoma City to discuss the product’s expanding reach and how it is being promoted in both international and domestic markets.
In his conversation with RFD News, Tauer explained that the burger was first introduced in Colombia and discussed its promotion across Latin American markets. He also highlighted efforts by the National Pork Board and state pork association partners to work with retailers across the United States to offer a similar Boston Butt Pork Burger to consumers.
Finally, Tauer also shared details on when and where consumers can try the burger, while outlining additional priorities and conversations taking place at this week’s USMEF Spring Conference.
Pork Products Without Fat-to-Lean Ratio Label Miss the Mark
One key focus area is how ground pork products are labeled and marketed to consumers, particularly with fat-to-lean ratios. Industry officials say products clearly displaying ratios such as 80-20 or 90-10 are seeing strong sales growth, while products without those labels are losing momentum.
“Our data shows that when ground pork has a fat-to-lean call out, those items are growing, and they’re growing double-digits, so 80-20 is growing double-digits; 90-10 is growing at an even faster rate,” said Neal Hull with the National Pork Board. “We know that items without a fat-to-lean callout on the package are declining. So, that’s the biggest opportunity — one, make sure that you’ve got a fat-to-lean call out on the label, and the other is to have options for the consumer. Don’t just have an 80-20.”
The National Pork Board says offering a wider variety of ground pork products could help retailers better match changing consumer preferences while expanding overall pork sales.
According to industry data, a modest expansion in ground pork offerings could generate roughly $80 million in additional retail sales for the pork industry. The largest opportunities are centered around 90-to-10 ground pork products, along with value-added items such as pork patties and meatballs.
The organization is also emphasizing seasonal marketing campaigns to capture consumer demand throughout the year. Officials say this summer’s campaigns will focus heavily on grilling, flavor, and convenience, while fall promotions will shift toward comfort foods and social gatherings tied to football season and holidays.
“For the summer, we’re shifting into summer grilling. It’s all going to be about flavor and convenience, right? I mean, we have to win summer grilling. And then, in the fall, we’ll transition to a focus on flavor and comfort, right? It’s all about gatherings, whether it be a tailgate party at your favorite college or favorite NFL team, or it’s a holiday gathering with family and friends.”
