Top 12 Meat Companies & Brands in the World

The global meat market reached a value of approximately USD 1.49 trillion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.3% in the forecast period of 2025-2034 to reach USD 1.84 trillion by 2034. As per the analysis by Expert Market Research, the market is expected to be driven by rising awareness regarding the health benefits of animal-based protein.

Meat of various animals including chickens, goats, sheep, lambs, and rabbits is rich in essential nutrients such as proteins, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. Rising health consciousness among consumers and the need to boost protein intake are contributing to the meat companies’ growth.  The high protein content in meat helps fitness enthusiasts build and repair muscles and allows the smooth functioning of various organs of the body. The rising consumption of protein can be attributed to its ability to reduce the level of the hunger hormone, ghrelin in the stomach. Additionally, meat boosts the levels of peptide YY, which provides a feeling of fullness.

With rising disposable income and changing lifestyles, consumers are increasingly opting to dine out in quick-service restaurants and steakhouses. The expansion of the food service sector as well as the proliferation of quick service restaurants and food chains is aiding meat consumption and providing lucrative growth opportunities to the market. The opening of several steakhouses and restaurants positively impacts the meat brands development. For instance, in October 2023, STK Steakhouse opened in Charlotte. The international brand has a presence in around 30 locations in major cities including New York, Dubai, Las Vegas, and London. STK’s menu includes premium steaks, speciality cocktails, and high-end seafood.

Meat products in both fresh and frozen forms are widely available in supermarkets and hypermarkets, such as Walmart Inc. and Kroger Co. Meanwhile, the demand for processed meat products is rising on online channels owing to the convenience these channels offer to the customers.

Latest Updates on the World's Top Meat Companies | Market News

In February 2024, Cargill acquired two case-ready meat plants from Infinity Meat Solutions, a subsidiary of Ahold Delhaize USA. The facilities in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania produce packaged beef and pork products, including seasoned and marinated meats. This acquisition enhances Cargill’s supply capacity for high-quality, ready-to-cook meats, supporting major U.S. grocery retailers.

In July 2023, Vion Zucht- und Nutzvieh partnered with Danish Crown to expand cattle slaughtering in Schleswig-Holstein. Danish Crown will process up to 1,000 young bulls, cows, and heifers weekly, boosting meat production to meet rising demand. This collaboration strengthens supply chains, enhances meat availability, supports farmers, and ensures efficient processing to meet growing consumer needs.

In February 2024, ICAR-NMRI collaborated with Waters India and IIT Hyderabad to improve meat safety research in India. The partnership focuses on advanced analytical techniques to detect contaminants, ensuring safer meat products. This initiative strengthens food safety standards, enhances regulatory compliance, and supports the growing demand for high-quality, contamination-free meat.

In January 2024, Stampede Meat partnered with D.L. Lee & Sons to expand production and distribution capabilities. This collaboration enhances meat processing efficiency, boosts supply chain resilience, and ensures greater product availability. By leveraging combined expertise, both companies aim to meet rising consumer demand and strengthen their presence in the competitive U.S. meat industry.

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Table: Top 10 Countries by Consumption of Each Type of Meat Per Capita/ Year in KG

Top 12 Meat Companies in the Market | Leading Industry Players

1. Cargill Inc.

Cargill Inc. is a meat manufacturers and provider of meat to food producers, retailers, and food service operators across the globe. The company’s customers are spread across North America, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Through the company’s BeefUp Sustainability initiative, Cargill aims to achieve a 30% GHG intensity reduction across its North American beef supply chain by 2030. In North America, Cargill harvests over eight million cattle and produces around eight billion pounds of boxed beef and by-products annually. It operates eight beef companies’ production facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The company also operates beef processing and cattle feeding operations in Australia via its joint venture with Teys Australia. Beyond agriculture, Cargill’s diverse portfolio includes offerings in industrial, financial, and transportation sectors. The company is committed to sustainability and innovation, emphasising responsible sourcing and reducing its environmental footprint. Cargill is also known for its efforts in advancing global food security, addressing climate change, and supporting communities through various initiatives. The company’s vast reach and diverse product offerings make it a vital entity in the global economy.

2. Conagra Brands, Inc.

Conagra Brands, Inc. is a leading American packaged food company known for its diverse portfolio of well-recognised brands. Conagra operates across several food categories, including frozen meals, snacks, condiments, and refrigerated products. The company’s brands include Healthy Choice, Marie Callender’s, Slim Jim, Banquet, and Orville Redenbacher's, among many others. Conagra focuses on providing high-quality, convenient food options that cater to evolving consumer preferences, including a growing emphasis on healthier, sustainable, and plant-based products. Through strategic acquisitions and innovation, Conagra has expanded its presence in the food industry, continuously adapting to market trends and consumer demands. The company’s commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing further enhances its competitive position. Conagra is dedicated to delivering superior shareholder value while prioritising the health and well-being of its customers, making it a key player in the global food sector.

3. JBS SA

With over 270,000 employees, JBS is the global leader in producing protein-based food. It produces and sells fresh meats which has high-added-value prepared and pre-packaged, meat packaging companies, food products. The company produces and sells beef through its two beef brands units, namely Friboi in Brazil and JBS USA Beef in the United States, Canada, and Australia. With a strong focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility, JBS has invested heavily in practices that reduce its carbon footprint and promote animal welfare. The company’s diverse portfolio includes well-known brands like Swift, Pilgrim’s Pride, and Seara, making it a key player in both retail and food service markets. JBS continues to expand through strategic acquisitions, positioning itself for long-term growth in the global food industry. The company also produces and sells poultry via its business units, Seara in Brazil and Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation in North America, Central America, and Europe.

4. Tyson Foods, Inc.

Tyson Foods, Inc. is a multi-national, modern, and one of the protein-focused meat processing companies. It produces around 20% of the United States’ beef, pork, and chicken. Additionally, beef processing companies offers a broad portfolio of foods under the Tyson®, Hillshire Farm®, BallPark®, Jimmy Dean®, Wright®, Aidell’s®, and State Fair® brands. During fiscal 2022, the company’s revenue amounted to USD 53 billion, with beef, chicken, and pork sales contributing to around 36%, 32%, and 10% of the revenue, respectively. The company focuses on innovation in its food offerings, such as introducing plant-based alternatives and health-conscious options. Tyson is also heavily invested in sustainability, with initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste production across its operations. As part of its efforts to enhance food safety, Tyson Foods prioritises rigorous quality control and the development of more sustainable and efficient production practices.

5. BRF SA (Sadia)

BRF SA employs around 100,000 people in 120 countries across the globe. The meat packing companies include Perdigão, Sadia, Qualy, Confidence, and Perdix, among others. BRF's brand Sadia produces a range of products, including whole chicken and chicken parts. The company’s diverse portfolio includes frozen foods, snacks, dairy products, and a range of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook food solutions. Sadia chickens are cleaned and cut according to the highest Halal standards and transported in temperature-controlled and hygienic trucks to ensure food safety and freshness. BRF's operations span across numerous countries, with a strong presence in South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. As a major player in the global food industry, the company exports to over 150 countries. BRF’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact, enhancing animal welfare, and promoting responsible sourcing.

6. WH Group Limited

WH Group Limited is a prominent pork company globally, producing and distributing packaged meats and fresh pork to consumers. It holds leading positions in China, the United States, and key markets in Europe. Its subsidiaries Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development Co., Ltd. is Asia's largest meat producers in the world, while its Smithfield Foods, Inc. is the biggest pork food company in the United States. In 2022, WH Group made sales of USD 28.136 billion. The company is engaged in the entire value chain of meat processing, from breeding and farming to processing and retailing. Its extensive portfolio includes a wide range of products such as fresh pork, packaged meats, and ready-to-eat meals, catering to both domestic and international markets. WH Group places a strong emphasis on food safety, quality control, and sustainability, incorporating advanced technologies into its operations to meet growing consumer demand for healthier, environmentally-friendly food options.

7. Minerva Foods SA

Minerva Foods has 33 industrial units, including three protein processing plants, 26 cattle slaughtering and deboning plants, and four plants for sheep. Its cattle plants are located in South America, across Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Colombia. Through its 12 commercial offices, Minerva exports its products to over 100 countries in five continents. It is a top meat processing companies in USA, operates 14 distribution centres, of which 11 are in Brazil, and one each in Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile. Minerva Foods is known for its commitment to sustainability, traceability, and animal welfare, ensuring that its operations adhere to the highest standards of environmental and ethical practices. With a robust supply chain and strategic partnerships, the company is well-positioned to meet the growing global demand for meat products, especially in emerging markets. It is also actively involved in value-added meat products, such as ready-to-eat meals and frozen food, further expanding its reach in the global food industry.

8. Clemens Food Group

Clemens Food Group is the 5th largest pork processor in the United States. The company provides quality pork products for food service, retail, and manufacturing customers. Clement is a vertically integrated company, handling the entire production chain, from farming to delivering the end products to its retail and food service customers. The market of meat production companies offers a variety of fresh, innovative, and quality products for its customers via its brands, namely, Hatfield®, Farm Promise ®, Premium Reserve®, Prima Porta®, Butcha Wagon®, and Red’s Legendary ®. Clemens Food Group offers a wide range of fresh and frozen pork products, including bacon, sausages, ham, and ribs, which are marketed under several renowned brands such as Hatfield, Cooked Perfect, and Pemco. Their products are distributed across North America, reaching both retail and foodservice customers. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and responsible farming practices, Clemens Food Group continues to lead in the pork processing industry. The company’s commitment to animal welfare, environmental responsibility, and community engagement further solidifies its position as a trusted leader in the food industry.

9. Hormel Foods Corporation

Hormel Foods Corporation owns over 40 food brands whose products are sold in around 80 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines. Its various meat-based brands include Austin Blues®, Hormel® Bacon 1™, Hormel® canned meats, and Hormel ® marinated meats, providing consumers with high-quality meat products. Hormel Foods’ subsidiaries that market the company’s products include Applegate Farms, LLC, Burke Marketing Corp., Cidade do Sol, Columbus Manufacturing, and Dan’s Prize, Inc., among others. Hormel Foods operates through various segments, including refrigerated foods, grocery products, and international sales. The company’s products are widely available across supermarkets, restaurants, and online retail platforms. Hormel is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of its customers by offering healthier product choices and sustainable sourcing practices. Its emphasis on operational efficiency, combined with strong customer relationships, has allowed Hormel Foods to maintain a competitive edge in the food industry. With a legacy of over 130 years, Hormel Foods continues to drive growth through strategic acquisitions and expanding its global presence.

10. NH Foods Ltd.

NH Foods Ltd. provides customers with a variety of meat products. It aims to expand its food development potential through its Vision2030 formulated in 2021. The company’s Fresh Meats business accounts for around 50% of its net sales. The business adopts a vertical integration system encompassing livestock best meat manufacturer, slaughtering, processing, distribution, and sales. The setup enables the company to promptly deliver safe and fresh meat products. The company has built a strong reputation for producing premium products in the meat industry, including pork, beef, chicken, and processed food items. NH Foods is especially noted for its expertise in the production of sausages, ham, and ready-to-eat meals, catering to both domestic and international markets. NH Foods is committed to sustainability and food safety, focusing on sustainable sourcing practices, animal welfare, and stringent quality controls. The company operates numerous production facilities worldwide, supplying products to various markets, including Japan, North America, Europe, and Asia. NH Foods places great emphasis on innovation, constantly developing new products to meet evolving consumer preferences for healthier and more convenient food options.

11. Sysco Corporation

Sysco Corporation is renowned globally as a leader in selling, marketing, and distributing food and non-food products to healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments, restaurants, and other customers, globally. It is one of the beef packing companies which is actively engaged in producing, as well as other proteins, including hand-cut chicken breasts, veal, lamb, pork meat as well as a variety of game meats. The company also offers food service professionals and retail stores an extensive variety of speciality products, including exotic meat, bacon, and charcuterie. Sysco operates in over 90 locations worldwide, offering supply chain solutions, innovative services, and an extensive portfolio of high-quality products. Through its vast network, Sysco supports both large-scale enterprises and small independent businesses, ensuring efficient and reliable delivery. The company places a strong emphasis on sustainability, sourcing products responsibly and reducing its environmental footprint. Sysco is also focused on digital transformation, investing in technology to enhance customer service, streamline operations, and improve efficiency.

12. Vion N.V.

Vion is an international producer of meat, meat products and plant-based alternatives with production locations in the Netherlands and Germany. The company has sales support offices and representatives worldwide. Vion provide fresh pork, beef, meat products, plant-based alternatives and by-products for retail, foodservice and the meat processing industry. Vion places significant emphasis on animal welfare, sustainability, and the traceability of its products, ensuring that every step of its production process meets the highest quality and ethical standards. The company is committed to reducing its environmental impact by adopting innovative technologies and sustainable practices in its operations. With a strong presence in international markets, Vion is focused on driving innovation while maintaining a deep commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, making it a trusted name in the global food industry.