Special Reports .taxonomy-header__description{ width: 675px !important; max-width: 100% !important; }

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Deep dives into innovation and emerging trends across meat processing, technology, packaging, and ingredients. These special reports provide expert insights, data-driven analysis, and forward-looking perspectives on the key developments shaping the future of the protein industry.]]> https://www.provisioneronline.com/rss/2594-special-reports en-us Automation strategies expand beyond labor replacement bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) Processors balance labor shortages, production demand, and SKU complexity with more targeted automation and AI-driven decision-making.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120753 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120753-automation-strategies-expand-beyond-labor-replacement Makers of foodservice meat and poultry solutions listening to consumers and operators wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) People gotta eat – but they are increasingly looking for food-away-from-home value outside leading US restaurant chains.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120743 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120743-makers-of-foodservice-meat-and-poultry-solutions-listening-to-consumers-and-operators Transparency and convenient formats drive interest in natural and organic meat bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) Double-digit gains in claims-based meats highlight shifting consumer purchasing behaviors, with transparency, trust and convenient product formats driving momentum across retail and foodservice.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120682 Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120682-transparency-and-convenient-formats-drive-interest-in-natural-and-organic-meat The Top 100 Meat & Poultry Processors of 2026 wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) The 2026 Top 100 Meat & Poultry Processors highlights a $112B market fueled by strong demand, premium trends and Gen Z influence, despite tight cattle supply, rising costs and shifting protein dynamics across beef, pork and poultry.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120467 Tue, 05 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120467-the-top-100-meat-and-poultry-processors-of-2026 How convenience is driving summer grilling innovation in 2026 bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) Demand for high-quality, convenience-driven formats bolsters consumer interest in grilling throughout the week.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120539 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120539-how-convenience-is-driving-summer-grilling-innovation-in-2026 Carefully curated merchandising helps small processors stay competitive in the meat case bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) Merchandising strategies evolve beyond traditional pricing and placement.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120530 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120530-carefully-curated-merchandising-helps-small-processors-stay-competitive-in-the-meat-case Consumer trust in animal welfare is solid – but there’s room for gains wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) A quarter of consumers say they are unsure about the industry’s animal welfare practices, suggesting an opportunity for transparency and clearer messaging to educate the public.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120488 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120488-consumer-trust-in-animal-welfare-is-solid-but-theres-room-for-gains Plant-based meat shifts from novelty to performance bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) As sales decline, plant-based meat producers are focusing on everyday use cases, improved product quality and transparent ingredient panels to drive repeat purchases.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120471 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120471-plant-based-meat-shifts-from-novelty-to-performance Regulatory efforts focus on fighting disease – in people and cattle demery11@gmail.com (Dan Emery) Dietary guidelines seen as a tool to fight chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120334 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120334-regulatory-efforts-focus-on-fighting-disease-in-people-and-cattle Protein demand drives interest in high-quality burgers, bricks and grinds bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) Smashburger, Teton Waters Ranch, 210 Analytics and Prosur share what’s trending in burger production and consumer demands.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120272 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120272-protein-demand-drives-interest-in-high-quality-burgers-bricks-and-grinds Tinned is still in for seafood purchases wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) A mix of nostalgia and trendiness boosts the popularity of tinned seafood.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120197 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120197-tinned-is-still-in-for-seafood-purchases Meat and poultry processors leverage technology and strategic design bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) Meat and poultry facilities leverage automation, data analytics and strategic design to balance throughput, product quality and energy efficiency.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120196 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120196-meat-and-poultry-processors-leverage-technology-and-strategic-design Seafood prices trending up overall wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) Heading into 2026, prices for finfish and shellfish have been trending higher, averaging more than $10 a pound in December 2025.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120195 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120195-seafood-prices-trending-up-overall Learn more about the Meat Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2025 bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) The National Provisioner is proud to welcome the Meat Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2025, honoring seven industry leaders whose contributions span education, innovation, operations and community service.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120062 Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120062-learn-more-about-the-meat-industry-hall-of-fame-class-of-2025 Processors facing workforce challenges wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) Training and employee development benefit processors and workers.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120061 Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/120061-processors-facing-workforce-challenges Affordability and versatility power poultry sales wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) Marketers target innovative new products that appeal to consumers to have another helping of chicken in their on-going meal pattern.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119982 Fri, 09 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119982-affordability-and-versatility-power-poultry-sales Processors pursue efficiency and new markets to mitigate rising costs wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) Proposed legislation would expand market reach for small processors.


]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119880 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119880-processors-pursue-efficiency-and-new-markets-to-mitigate-rising-costs Strong demand and nutrition trends bolster meat and poultry outlook wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) Price-conscious consumers’ shift to dining at-home plays to pork’s strength.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119862 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119862-strong-demand-and-nutrition-trends-bolster-meat-and-poultry-outlook Nutritional benefits and taste propel pork category success bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) Evolving consumer preferences surrounding nutrition, taste and affordability are redefining the pork category’s competitive landscape.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119861 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119861-nutritional-benefits-and-taste-propel-pork-category-success Containing costs drives cold chain efficiencies wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) Forward distribution centers add about 3 million pallet positions in North America.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119841 Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119841-containing-costs-drives-cold-chain-efficiencies Consumers keep an eye on price and convenience wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) Consumers continue favoring grinds and other value-added meat and poultry products.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119765 Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119765-consumers-keep-an-eye-on-price-and-convenience Elevated flavors shape meat and poultry innovation bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) Industry experts share how unique flavor pairings and sensory appeal are driving meat and poultry product innovation.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119723 Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119723-elevated-flavors-shape-meat-and-poultry-innovation Meat and poultry industry navigates uncertainty demery11@gmail.com (Dan Emery) Labor remains a challenge.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119612 Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119612-meat-and-poultry-industry-navigates-uncertainty US turkey continues pushing forward Highly pathogenic avian influenza remains the biggest challenge facing the turkey industry.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119611 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119611-us-turkey-continues-pushing-forward Seafood: Wild, trusted and on the rise Seafood continues to hold its own in the marketplace— buoyed by consumer demand for health, sustainability, and value.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119608 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119608-seafood-wild-trusted-and-on-the-rise Responsibly farmed seafood is the future of sustainable protein Surveys suggest 83% of consumers are motivated to choose seafood with a sustainability label.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119607 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119607-responsibly-farmed-seafood-is-the-future-of-sustainable-protein Pork industry advocacy in 2025 is a team sport Pork industry targets measurable progress across trade, animal health, commerce and production, and environment and energy.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119593 Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119593-pork-industry-advocacy-in-2025-is-a-team-sport The growing appetite for lamb in the North American market New entrants carve out a space for premium lamb, based on specialized breeds and feeding regimes for maximum eating quality.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119591 Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119591-the-growing-appetite-for-lamb-in-the-north-american-market ‘Rational exuberance’ energizes chicken market tsuper@chickenusa.org (Tom Super) Foodservice is on a recovery track and taking more chicken in the upward swing.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119584 Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119584-rational-exuberance-energizes-chicken-market Today’s beef consumer seeks value and convenience Economic uncertainty has prompted many to rethink their spending habits, prioritizing affordability and value.

]]> http://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119576 Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/119576-todays-beef-consumer-seeks-value-and-convenience