Ground pork sales in the U.S. since March 1 of this year through July 26 have risen 27 percent with more consumers trying ground pork for the first time. National Pork Board’s Director of Channel Marketing and Innovation Neal Hull says that’s exciting news for the industry has it also means those who have tried the meat will continue to purchase it. He says that happened as more people were eating at home during the pandemic.

He says they’ve been able to capture more of the consumer market for meat consumption with their ground product.

Hull says the Pork Checkoff will be working with packers and retailers to build on this growing demand for ground pork.

Hull says 45 percent of ground pork shoppers were Not purchasing ground pork in the last 12 months. And among those new ground pork shoppers, 13 percent made at least two ground pork purchases between March and June. Since March, ground pork has brought in the highest percentage of new shoppers to the ground segment compared to other ground meats.