The global pork jerky market reached approximately USD 819.27 Million in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.20% between 2025 and 2034, reaching a value of around USD 1642.01 Million by 2034.
Pork Jerky Market Growth Rate
Pork jerky is a snack that is made from dehydrated pork meat cut into lean strips or slices with improved shelf life. This process involves marinating the meat in a solution of salt, seasonings, and sometimes a sweetening agent, followed by drying it in a dehydrator, oven, or smoker at a low temperature for several hours. These thin strips are usually seasoned with salt, sugar, spices, and other ingredients to offer unique flavours.
Growing demand for nutritional and healthy snacks among health-conscious consumers is one of the prominent factors driving pork jerky market growth. Pork jerky typically contains low-calorie, low-fat, and high-protein content, which makes it a preferable snacking option between meals. In the fast-paced world, consumers are increasingly looking for snacks that are easy to consume on the go. Pork jerky's long shelf life and portability make it an ideal snack for busy lifestyles, travel, and outdoor activities, and as a quick source of energy. With the growing popularity of e-commerce, consumers are gaining access to different flavours of pork jerky from any part of the world, which further provides impetus to the pork jerky market development.
Key Trends and Developments
Rising demand for clean-labelled snacks; keto and paleo diets; innovative and unique flavour combinations; convenient packaging; and Rising premiumisation in pork jerky products are the major trends impacting the pork jerky market expansion
July 26th, 2023
Oberto announced the launch of Pulled Pork jerky, a new pork jerky product, to expand its product portfolio.
April 26th, 2023
Perky Jerky announced the launch of new pork jerky products which contain lean protein and a broad range of flavours.
January 18th, 2023
Hofmann Sausage Co. announced the launch of Korean barbecue-flavoured smoked jerky, its first venture into the pork jerky sector.
Rising demand for clean-labelled snacks
Several pork jerky providers are offering transparency of their products and eliminating the use of synthetic flavours or preservatives in their production processes.
Keto and paleo diets
The popularity of high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets like keto and paleo has contributed to the increased demand for pork jerky as a compliant, convenient snack option.
Innovative and unique flavour combinations
Combinations such as maple syrup and pineapple juice pork jerky, among others, cater to the diverse tastes of the consumer base.
Convenient packaging
As pork jerky is often consumed on the go, there's a trend towards more convenient, resealable packaging that maintains freshness and makes consumption easier.
Rising premiumisation in pork jerky products
A large consumer segment is willing to pay a premium for artisanal or gourmet pork jerky products that offer unique flavours, superior quality, and artisanal craftsmanship.
Pork Jerky Market Trends
The trend toward clean-label products in the market reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences towards foods that are perceived as more natural and healthier. Consumers are increasingly seeking foods made from natural ingredients, with minimal processing. In the context of pork jerky, this means using real, recognisable ingredients such as natural cuts of pork, sea salt, and natural seasonings instead of artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives. There is a growing awareness of the potential health impacts of artificial additives and highly processed foods and clean-label pork jerky appeals to consumers looking to avoid these additives in favour of a more natural diet.
Several companies are making their venture into the pork jerky market with the launch of innovative products. Hofmann Sausage Company, traditionally known for its variety of sausages and meat products, announced the expansion of its product lineup with the introduction of a Korean barbecue-flavored smoked pork jerky in January 2023. This move marks the company's first foray into the pork jerky sector, diversifying its offerings and tapping into the growing demand for innovative and flavorful meat snacks.
Pork Jerky Industry Segmentation
“Pork Jerky Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:
Market Breakup by Type
- Spicy
- Sweet
- Salty
- Savoury
Market Breakup by Nature
Market Breakup by Distribution Channel
- HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurant, and Cafes)
- Independent Groceries and Retailers
- Online
- Others
Market Breakup by Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East and Africa
Pork Jerky Market Share
Conventional pork jerky accounts for a major share due to its easy accessibility and cost-effective price
Conventional pork jerky occupies a significant portion of the market, due to its extensive availability across the world. Conventional go-to jerky snacks are available in a wide range of flavours and affordable pricing compared to organic pork jerky, which also boosts the growth of the segment. Many consumers are more familiar with conventional pork jerky brands due to their long-standing presence in the market. Traditional preferences and brand loyalty can influence purchasing decisions, favouring conventional over niche products. Moreover, large companies that produce conventional pork jerky often have substantial marketing budgets, allowing them to engage in extensive advertising campaigns and this visibility increases consumer awareness and can drive sales.
Meanwhile, organic pork jerky is expected to gain robust growth in the pork jerky market in the foreseeable future, due to the shift in consumer preference towards natural jerky products that undergo minimal processing and retain their nutritional quality. Organic farming practices are viewed as more environmentally friendly, as they reduce chemical runoff and often use more sustainable farming techniques and consumers concerned about their ecological footprint may prefer organic pork jerky as a way to align their purchasing habits with their environmental values.
Independent groceries and retailers maintain their dominance in the market as they offer a broad range of jerky products and brands
Independent groceries and retailers traditionally hold a significant portion of the pork jerky market for snack foods, including pork jerky. Independent grocery and speciality food stores often offer a variety of jerky products, including local, artisanal, and organic options that might not be available in larger chains. These retailers cater to specific consumer preferences and can provide a platform for niche brands.
In recent years, online sales have surged across various product categories, including food and snacks like pork jerky. The convenience of online shopping, coupled with the ability to easily explore and purchase a wide range of flavours, brands, and product types, makes the online channel highly attractive to consumers. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) models adopted by many jerky brands have also contributed to the growth in online sales. The pandemic accelerated the shift towards online shopping, and this trend is likely to have sustained growth.
Leading Companies in Pork Jerky Market
Market players are introducing innovative products to stay ahead of the competition and meet the evolving regulatory landscape
Oberto Snacks Inc.
Oberto Snacks Inc., founded in 1918 in Washington, United States, offers a variety of products including charcuterie, chicken, jerky, and smoked sausages.
Liechtenstein Ospelt Group
Liechtenstein Ospelt Group, established in 1958 in Bendern, Liechtenstein, specializes in premium quality beef snacks without artificial preservatives or flavor enhancers.
The Meat Makers
The Meat Makers, founded in 2008 in Neringa, Lithuania, produces beef and meat-based snacks made from natural quality ingredients.
Big Fork Brands
Big Fork Brands, established in 2011 in Illinois, United States, offers Craft Bacon Sausage, Craft Pork Jerky, Pork Snack Sticks, True Blends Sausage, and Chicago Sauce.
Other major players in the pork jerky market are Runnin Wild Foods, Links Snacks, Inc, Kuivalihakundi, Fragrant Jerky (USA) Singapore-Style Fire-Grilled Jerky, Wild West Jerky LLC, and Divine Bovine Jerky, among others.
Pork Jerky Market Analysis by Region
North America accounts for a sizeable share of the global market, owing to the rising demand for go-to snacks in the region. The growing presence of fast-food chains, coupled with the surging popularity of convenient food products among the working population, also offers lucrative market growth opportunities. There is a growing consumer interest in high-protein, low-carb snacks as part of health and wellness trends. Pork jerky fits this profile well, making it a popular choice for individuals following specific dietary plans such as keto, or paleo, or those simply seeking healthier snack options as the lean protein and low-fat content of pork jerky, when made with quality cuts and minimal added sugars, appeal to health-conscious consumers.
Additionally, the pork jerky market in Europe is expected to witness substantial growth in the forecast period, due to growing investment by market players into the development of healthier pork jerky products. European consumers are increasingly concerned about the ethical aspects of meat production, including animal welfare and environmental impact. This has led to a demand for pork jerky made from free-range or organically farmed pigs, as well as products that emphasize natural ingredients and minimal processing.