September Meat Sales Grew Despite Higher Prices

Retailers saw a 1.5% increase in meat department dollar sales as fresh meat demand outpaced processed options.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Inflation

September Meat Sales Grew Despite Higher Prices

Live Poll

Are you changing your grocery shopping habits due to rising food prices?

In September 2026, U.S. meat department dollar sales rose 1.5% and volume sales increased 1.0%. The growth was driven by a strong performance in the fresh meat category, which reached $6.3 billion for the month.

Why it matters

Growth in September was fueled by a combination of inflationary price hikes, notably an 11.8% rise in fresh turkey prices due to HPAI outbreaks, and demand-driven volume increases. Operators should note that ground beef remains a key revenue anchor, with annual sales hitting $18.8 billion.

Fresh meat dollar sales gained 2.5% in September with a 1.6% increase in pound volume, while ground beef sales reached $1.5 billion. Conversely, processed meat volume declined 0.4% compared to September 2025 levels.

The details

The sector's September performance benefited from a shift toward fresh over processed proteins, as seen in beef pound sales which grew 7.3% during one holiday week. While fresh turkey and lamb prices saw significant inflation of 11.8% and 9.4% respectively, overall volume grew across all but one week of the month. This balance of price and volume growth indicates resilient demand despite higher shelf costs.

September 2025 served as the baseline for processed meat volume comparisons.
September 2026 saw meat department dollar sales increase by 1.5%.
September 27, 2026 marked the conclusion of the 13-week third quarter.

Inflation
Oct. 14
Food-at-Home Inflation Fell in September
Inflation
Sept. 28
New PCE Calculation Will Shift Inflation Reporting
Agriculture
Sept. 19
Tariff Cuts Increased Beef Imports to Ease Prices

Market Landscape

The recent 11.8% rise in fresh turkey prices follows supply constraints established by ongoing HPAI outbreaks. This price pressure aligns with broader trends in agricultural commodity volatility affecting retail inventory costs.

Operators should monitor category-specific volume trends to adjust procurement as inflation drives consumers toward high-performing proteins like ground beef. Watch for shifting consumer spending patterns during upcoming holiday periods, where online shopping is expected to command 55% of activity.

The takeaway

Fresh meat segments are proving resilient to inflationary pressure, with consumers prioritizing these items despite higher price points. Monitor your category's volume-to-price ratio against Q3 benchmarks to determine if your current pricing strategy is effectively passing through commodity cost spikes.