Typically, the Top 100 serves as a good indicator of how the industry has performed, and what the expectations were for the coming year. If the industry is going through strong periods, we will see record sales, acquisitions, expansions and other initiatives.

Meat products have become increasingly complicated as the desires of consumers continue to grow and change. At one point — not too long ago — it was newsworthy when a company included the word “natural” on their label to describe their steak, chicken breast or hot dog.