According to Nielsen Perishables Group data for the 13 weeks ended Oct. 28, total sausage and rib volumes were up from the same time last year 3.3 percent and 2.6 percent respectively, while sales were up in those categories 4.1 percent and 3.2 percent.

Patrick Fleming, National Pork Board director of market intelligence, commented:

Summer is always an ideal time for cooking pork outdoors.

Whether it was brats on the grill or a few racks of ribs on the smoker, consumers made room for pork on their picnic plate in 2017.

That momentum carried over into fall, as overall retail spending on pork by US consumers was up by more than 3 percent in dollar sales during the month of October.

The Nielsen data shows that consumer spending for ham was up a slight 1 percent for the 13-week period ending Oct. 28. Fleming acknowledges this demonstrates strong consumer demand for a pork cut that normally shines at year end due to the holidays.

Fleming spoke of the surge in consumer purchases of ham:

It’s encouraging to see that more consumers are spending more on ham as we head into the holiday season.

We are already hearing anecdotally that some key retailers saw more hams leave the cold case heading into Thanksgiving. The volume of hams currently in storage should create favourable price points for consumers through yearend and into 2018.

According to the US Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Statistics Service, frozen ham inventories at the end of October were up 2.1 percent, compared to this time last year. With both strong summer and fall sales performance, pork producers are encouraged by signs that point to a strong finish to the year.

Terry O’Neel, president of the National Pork Board and a pig farmer from Friend, Nebraska, also commented:

Hams are no longer saved just for Christmas.

And with the kids, grandkids and other family members visiting for a few days, other cuts like bacon and sausage shine at breakfast, while prosciutto and salami are showcased in the New Year’s charcuterie tray. Pork’s value and versatility make it a go-to meal option this time of year.

Additionally, pork plays a growing role in the restaurant and foodservice industry. Since 2011, pork has been the fastest-growing protein, according to Technomic, Inc.’s 2017 Volumetric Assessment of Pork in Foodservice. During the past six years, pork use has grown on a per pound basis by more than double chicken, largely due to foodservice operators seeking higher quality cuts and cooking them to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (with a three-minute rest). During this same time period, pork represented 61 percent of all protein growth in the foodservice industry.

As reported by the National Pork Board