Circana, Integrated Fresh, Total US, MULO+ 

Meat sales 

After several months in which year-over-year comparisons were influenced by the differing timing of Easter in 2025 and 2026, May provided a cleaner view of underlying trends. Fresh meat continued to generate strong dollar growth, with sales increasing 4.2% in May, while pound sales were essentially flat at -0.2%. Processed meat faced greater challenges, with dollar sales declining 1.6% and pounds falling 3.3% compared with May 2025.

These results represent a slowdown from the 52-week trend, during which pound sales remained 1.3% ahead of year-ago levels.

Circana, Integrated Fresh, Total US, MULO+

The May results marked a departure from several quarters of year-over-year growth in both dollars and pounds. The last decline in pound sales occurred during the second quarter of 2024, largely due to the unusually early timing of Easter. Before that, pound sales had not declined since the fourth quarter of 2023.

Despite the May softness, meat department volume sales continue to lap significant gains from prior years and remain above levels recorded two years ago.

Circana, Integrated Fresh, Total US, MULO+

Total meat pound sales declined in each of the four weeks of May. Chicken was the only species to buck the trend, posting pound gains in every week, with increases ranging from 0.3% to 2.6%.

Circana, Integrated Fresh, Total US, MULO+

Fresh meat sales by protein 

Supported by pound growth in all four weeks of May, chicken was the only species to post volume gains for the month. In contrast, all species generated dollar sales growth, including beef, turkey, and lamb, which benefited from inflationary price increases. In the 52-week view, pound sales remained comfortably ahead of year-ago levels, up 2.3%, driven by strong beef and chicken performance.

Circana, Integrated Fresh, Total US, MULO+

Processed meat 

Processed meat performance remained subdued across nearly all categories, with dinner sausage the lone exception, posting a 1.7% increase in pound sales. Packaged lunchmeat experienced the steepest decline, with pounds down 6.4% versus year-ago levels. Unlike fresh meat, most processed meat categories also recorded declines in dollar sales during May, with dinner sausage again standing out as the only category to post growth.

Circana, Integrated Fresh, Total US, MULO+

Grinds
 Ground beef continued to dominate the category in May but posted its first year-over-year decline in quite some time. Ground turkey was also unable to match year-ago sales levels. In contrast, ground chicken and pork delivered double-digit growth, although the latter remains a relatively small segment with sales of just $17 million.

Circana, Integrated Fresh, Total US, MULO+

What’s next?

• Total food and beverage volume softened for a second consecutive period following a stronger start to the year. Units have been flat or down across the latest eight weeks, with exceptions for dairy, meat and deli. 
• Circana predicts flat volume trends for 2026 across total food and beverages, with notable pockets of growth at the category and subcategory levels. Meat had been growing up to this May. 
• Prolonged gas price pressure may be starting to test consumer resilience. Average gas prices remained above $4 for the second month in a row and small behavioral shifts are starting to emerge. Convenience channel food and beverage sales dipped -2% in the latest four weeks following flat performance earlier in the year. In contrast, club stores continued to gain shoppers and trips.
• Meanwhile, the Gen Z share of dollar and unit sales is growing. With it, a “modular eating” style is gaining momentum as young consumers build meals from snackable, mix-and-match components, while emphasizing convenience, texture and discoverability. 

 Date ranges: 

2025: 52 weeks ending 12/28/2025       

Q1 2026: 13 weeks ending 03/29/2026 

May 2026: 4 weeks ending 05/31/2026