Skip navigation
Reports & Analysis Strategic Insights Research Subscriptions
Sign In / Create Account Cart
Sign In / Create Account Cart
  • Reports & Analysis
  • Strategic Insights
  • Research Subscriptions

Resources

  • Analyst Buzz
  • Press Releases
  • Blog
  • Resources & Downloads

The Freedonia Group

  • Contact
  • About
  • Our Staff
  • Help Center
  • Career Opportunities
Freedonia Market Research Blog Heads Up on Humane in Meat and Poultry Industries

Heads Up on Humane in Meat and Poultry Industries

by Sarah Schmidt

April 18, 2017

Consumer concern over animal welfare issues has reached critical mass in the meat and poultry industries, creating a new generation of challenges and opportunities. This development, kindred to the organic movement, is readily apparent in the proliferation of overt product claims such as  certified humane, cruelty free, and cage-free, along with linked claims such as antibiotic-free, hormone-free, or grass-fed. 

Packaged Facts 2017 survey data on current practices and regulations for animal welfare

On the one hand, new Packaged Facts survey data from February/March 2017 show that nearly half of U.S. consumers agree (somewhat or strongly) that livestock animals are “treated appropriately under current practices and regulations,” against only a fifth who disagree.

The contingent who strongly agree that livestock animals are treated appropriately (20%) correspondingly outnumbers those who strongly disagree (9%).

 

Table 1: Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement: "I'm satisfied that animals raised for food are treated appropriately under current practices and regulations," 2017   

Strongly Agree

Somewhat Agree

Neither Agree Nor Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disagree

20%

28%

31%

12%

9%

Source: Packaged Facts Online Consumer Survey, February-March 2017

On the other hand, a growing range of consumers are paying more attention to the treatment of food animals. Packaged Facts data also show that a quarter (26%) of consumers strongly agree, and another third (32%) somewhat agree, that they are becoming more concerned about the treatment of animals raised for food. 

In contrast, only 15% of U.S. consumers somewhat or strongly disagree that livestock animal treatment is of increasing concern.

 

Table 2: Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statements: "I am more concerned than I was a few years ago about the treatment of animals raised for food," 2017 

Strongly Agree

Somewhat Agree

Neither Agree Nor Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disagree

26%

32%

28%

8%

6%

Source: Packaged Facts Online Consumer Survey, February-March 2017

Packaged Facts’ new report, Animal Welfare: Issues and Opportunities in the Meat, Poultry, and Egg Markets in the U.S., charts the changing attitudes and emerging opportunities for marketers of beef, poultry, eggs, meat substitute, and vegetable protein products.  The opportunities range from product development, labeling, and marketing to M&A activity and investor relations—and extend beyond the fresh meat and dairy cases to in-store prepared foods and foodservice menus.

As   David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts, reports: “Agricultural producers, food retailers, and restaurants alike are playing key roles in growing the market for protein products that satisfy next-generation consumer demands for food animal welfare.”

Where to purchase “Animal Welfare: Issues and Opportunities in the Meat, Poultry, and Egg Markets in the U.S.”

Find Packaged Facts’ latest report at: www.packagedfacts.com/Animal-Welfare-Meat-10771767/. The report discusses important food industry trends pertaining to beef, pork, poultry, chicken, turkey, eggs, meat substitutes, vegetable proteins, plant proteins, veganism, vegetarianism, and flexitarianism, as well as certified human, cruelty free, cage free, pasture raised, free range, grass fed, antibiotic free, steroid free, and hormone free.

 Visit the link and you can also view additional information about the report including the abstract, table of contents, related research, and more.

-- by David Sprinkle, research director, Packaged Facts

Have unique research needs?

Freedonia Strategic Insights listens intently to your needs and objectives. Then we work diligently to define and deliver a service to meet them.
Learn About Our Custom Research Services

Subscribe to Our Blog

Stay up to date with the latest information about new market research and news in areas relevant to your business from our analysts and team members.

Packaged Facts Blog Subscription

Provide the following details to subscribe.

The Freedonia Group needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.
  • Contact
  • About
  • Help Center
  • Career Opportunities
  • Press Contact
  • User Agreement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

Additional Resources

  • Market Size Resources
  • Lawn & Garden Market Research
  • Roofing Market Research
  • Pet Products Market Research
  • Countertops Market Research
  • Power Tools Market Research
  • Publishing for the PreK-12 Market Research
  • Insulation Market Resaerch
  • Cabinets Market Research
  • Flooring Market Research
  • Pet Supplements Market Research
  • Agricultural Equipment Market Research
  • Open Access Publishing Market Research
  • Silicones Market Research
  • For Legal Inquiries, contact Cohen & Cohen
Copyright © 2025 The Freedonia Group, Inc. All rights reserved.