Prepared beef includes products that have been partially or fully cooked, canned or frozen, enhanced, marinated, seasoned or tenderized. We have to catch up with our protein competitors and what they've done in the areas of consumer convenience. This is the only way beef can go. Prepared beef is no longer limited to old standbys like bologna and corned beef. These newer innovative products are meeting real success with consumers.
Consumers say they have less time to cook and prepare foods today.
Celentre explains that as the median age of Americans rises, the tastes of consumers also matures. So, while consumers tend to have less time available for cooking, they still have a sense of quality and desire great-tasting food. Record Meat Supplies Lower Prices With record red meat and poultry production in the United States coupled with the economic problems in Asia, livestock and retail prices have been lower than usual in the beginning of this year. According to the USDA, in January-March, pork production was up 12 percent, broiler product was up 3 percent and beef production up 2 percent from last year. At the same time, hog prices diminished to a 26-year low, and prices of fed cattle, broilers and turkeys were lower than a year earlier.