Dive Brief:
- Almost 15% of global meat snacks launches in the 52 weeks ending April 30 used protein claims, with more than 50% of new products in the U.S. making that claim.
- In the U.S., jerky-type products dominate the meat snacks category, which is the fourth largest savory snacks category after potato chips, tortilla chips and nuts/trail mixes. Although jerky is a mature market, it has grown in recent years with the introduction of healthier and less tough artisan jerky, such as that produced by Krave and Gary West.
- Jack Link’s has long been the leader in the U.S. market. In 2014, the company became a leader in the European market by acquiring Unilever’s Peperami and BiFi European meat snacks businesses. Salami snacks dominate the European meat snacks market.
Dive Insight:
The increased consumer demand for protein, along with the trend toward more snacking, is supporting the meat snacks market. Jerky is so hot in the U.S. that the Hershey Company announced it would be acquiring Krave in January, making it Hershey's first acquisition that wasn't related to candy, chocolate, or other sweets.
Meat snacks were also a trend at this year's Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, including Perky Jerky and Krave.
Although jerky has traditionally been a "man snack," women make up a growing part of the jerky market.