New from Cargill Protein for the grocery meat case are Excel Burger Solutions Ground Beef Chubs, 10-pound chubs that come ready for a store’s meat department to quickly merchandise and package into fresh ground beef patties.

“We continue to see pre-made patties perform well in retail,” said Hilary Gerard, Cargill’s director of retail marketing.

Fresh beef patties in general is a category where Cargill Protein continues to innovate and test new flavors and offerings, Gerard said.

This summer, the company is launching a line of premium source-grind fresh patties, as well as a few seasoned varieties.

“Consumers are looking for elevated experiences when celebrating special occasions and we believe elevated burger offerings meet this need.”

Thin-sliced steak and whole muscle cut products are other new beef products Cargill Protein is bullish on.

“Thin-sliced products are experiencing increased demand from both consumers and customers,” Gerard said. “For consumers, this value offering is quick cook and allows for a lower retail ring. For customers, producing this product back-of-house is difficult and requires skilled labor from the retailer.”

Whole muscle cuts, meanwhile, come in Multivac packs and give consumers versatility and value while giving retailers more flexibility to promote and feature fresh beef, she said.

Other trends in retail beef marketing Cargill Protein is tracking include:

Smaller package sizes

“We have been monitoring the continued reduction in HH size across the US, this trend is resulting in consumers seeking smaller package weights and more flexibility in how they save/store beef,” Gerard said.

Products that reduce prep/cook time

“Thin sliced, diced, and shaved beef reduce the time needed to cook and get dinner on the table faster. The time Americans are spending prepping dinner continues to decline.”

Global inspired cuisine

“Certain beef items are key ingredients in ethnic cuisine, especially Latin, Asian, and Mediterranean. Younger consumers love these flavors and dishes and are seeking these ingredients from retailers.”

Special Occasions

“’Winning the celebration’ is key to help capture consumers looking to pay a premium to celebrate and indulge.”

This article is an excerpt from the July 2024 issue of Supermarket Perimeter. You can read the entire Beef feature and more in the digital edition here.