Challenges of shifting consumer demand in the pork processing industry

Abstract Text: The pork processing industry continues to evolve from a commodity based, high volume, and undifferentiated business to one with greater emphasis on further processed, branded, and specialty programs.  Our suppliers, pork production systems are still largely designed as commodity businesses where size, scale and uniformity are cherished.  Many of our wholesale and retail buyers are demanding exclusive products to drive customer traffic while telling a story.  Meanwhile, many consumers want a greater understanding and input of where, when, and how their purchases are grown, managed, and processed.  The challenge facing the pork processing industry is finding the right balance between end users and producers of pork. 

Keywords: pork, swine, processing