SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: Bacon Trends + Technology- March 2024 - 13

for Applegate. " We expect to see more thick
cut bacon in the market as consumers look for
a richer, more decadent eating experience, and
we also think we'll see more convenience plays
in this space - this would include fully cooked
bacon or microwave ready bacon. "
" Ounce per ounce, bacon provides more craveable,
reliable flavor than any other meat condiment, "
Fleming said. " It dramatically upgrades
the flavor of a chicken breast, sandwich, hamburger
or steak and also stands out as a standalone
food. "
Another trend is more companies on shelf
with cleaner labels, offering no antibiotics or no
nitrates, as more brands have been joining the
movement each year with higher standards and
new launches.
PRICE PRESSURES
Despite people's love of bacon, as a total category,
bacon has seen some declines in the last year,
according to Mintel.
Pound sales were up, and dollar pounds were
down, due to record-high prices. Last year, the
price of bacon soared as pork belly prices and
consumer demand spiked due to a lack of availability:
this caused consumers to back off on
their bacon purchases.
By the midpoint of 2023, bacon prices were
down 12.9% and bacon volume was up 3.2%, beating
the processed meat trend by more than 5%
and growing, according to Circana.
However, as the availability of bacon rose
and pricing leveled off to what consumers are
willing to pay, retailers have begun promoting
it and consumers are responding by purchasing
bacon at or above prior levels.
" With grocery prices rising, consumers have
become more sensitive and have made choices
when it comes to what they want to spend more
or less on, " Gancheva said. " During a time when
consumers are making those choices, we are
excited to see that we can continue to bring consumers
back to the brand and committed to making
choices in the bacon category that are not
only focused on a delicious eating experience,
but also on bacon that maintains high animal
welfare standards. "
Today's consumers are looking for more variety
with 48% saying they are interested in trying
new bacon items, according to Mintel.
" Over the last few years, the traditionally thin
slices of bacon also have given way to thicker
and thicker bacon in a greater variety of flavors, "
Fleming said. " Today, it is common to find superthick
varieties such as steak-cut bacon with only
four slices in a 12-oz package. "
Datassential's MenuTrends 2023 report revealed
that 80% of consumers report liking or loving
bacon, so it remains an all-time favorite food.
With grocery
prices rising,
consumers
have become
more
sensitive and
have made
choices when
it comes to
what they
want to
spend more
or less on. "
Gina Gancheva
WHAT'S NEW?
Apple cider is another flavor that continues to
gain popularity, which led the Hormel Black Label
bacon brand to launch its Apple Cider Bacon product
this past fall.
" Datassential's fall trends report identified
apple as a top 10 seasonal flavor around the
globe and Technomic's menu adoption cycle
also reveals that apple cider is in the early adoption
phase, indicating that apple cider is currently
trending in restaurants and specialty grocers
throughout the country, " said Aly Sill, senior
brand manager for the Hormel Black Label
bacon brand.
Applegate looked into the convenience space
and decided to launch its first ever Fully Cooked
Bacon in February 2024.
" We have taken our top selling SKU, Applegate
Naturals Sunday Bacon, and made it convenient
and always accessible, " Gancheva said. " We plan
to follow up this launch with an expansion of
the Fully Cooked lineup over the next few years
with items like Fully Cooked Turkey Bacon and
Chopped Bacon Pieces, all humanely raised and
100% natural. "
Enrici has continued to see growth in demand
for Coleman Natural Food's uncured bacon products,
such as Hickory and Applewood-Smoked
Bacon, and the company is looking to further
expand its bacon portfolio in the year ahead with
new products that meet increased consumer
interest in global cuisines, new cooking methods
and recipes driven by social platforms like
Instagram. " Smoked, spicy and even 'swicy' flavors
that provide a sweet heat are growing in
MEAT+POULTRY 2024 BACON TRENDS + TECHNOLOGY
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SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: Bacon Trends + Technology- March 2024

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