Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $130.0bn in 2026.
Trends and Insights
Logistics modernization reshapes industry efficiency and competitiveness
- Beef and pork wholesalers have made significant strides in supply chain optimization since 2021, leveraging technology to enhance traceability and efficiency. Companies like Cargill have adopted blockchain solutions to ensure product integrity from farm to table, thereby building consumer trust and meeting stringent regulatory requirements. Although implementing these technologies involves substantial initial investment, they are key to sustaining long-term operational resilience.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Sustainability and ethical sourcing will reshape wholesaler strategies moving forward
- Over the next five years, consumer demand for sustainably and ethically sourced beef and pork will accelerate, particularly as Millennials and Gen Z become core purchasing demographics. To remain competitive in a changing marketplace, wholesalers will need to pivot toward transparent sourcing, animal welfare assurances and stewardship of environmental resources
Biggest companies in the Beef & Pork Wholesaling in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue ($m)
2026 | Profit ($m)
2026 | Profit Margin (%)
2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sysco Corporation | 11,641.3 | 676.7 | 5.8 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Beef, Pork and Sausage and prepared meats. Beef is the largest segment of the Beef & Pork Wholesaling in the US.
Trends and Insights
Sustained high beef prices reshape wholesaler sales mix and consumer habits
- Beef products comprise just under 50% of industry revenue in 2026, but per capita consumption has declined consistently since 2023, as the producer price index for red meat hits 261.3 in 2026—up sharply from 171.7 in 2021. Elevated prices have steadily pushed consumers toward more affordable proteins and cuts, compressing wholesalers' volumes.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Operators in this industry wholesale beef, pork and other red meat products. There are two types of wholesalers that execute the industry’s activities. One type is merchant wholesalers, which include independent wholesaling operations. The other includes manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, which represent the wholesale division of vertically integrated meat processors.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States include Beef, Pork, Deli meats, Sausage and prepared meats, Lamb and Veal.Companies
Companies covered in the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States include Sysco Corporation.Purchase this report to view all 1 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States include merchant wholesaler, wholesale bypass, supply chain, broadline and economies of scale.Industry Code
NAICS 42447 - Beef & Pork Wholesaling in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Logistics gets a digital makeover. Distributors are betting big on automation, smarter routing and new cold-chain tech to keep meat moving smoothly, even as health trends and...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Protein mix becomes the battleground. With beef under pressure, pork, sausages, deli meats and niche proteins step into the spotlight, forcing wholesalers to rethink what the...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Urban density and logistics make the Mid-Atlantic a powerhouse for meat wholesalers. Cities like New York and Philadelphia drive constant demand, while robust transportation ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Getting in isn’t for the faint-hearted. New wholesalers must clear steep regulatory, capital and differentiation hurdles just to survive, let alone stand out in a market wher...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Scale drives Sysco’s meat strategy. The company leans on its national network, giant contracts and logistics muscle to win accounts from smaller rivals, even if that means ac...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of Sysco Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Sysco Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Rules shape every decision. From inspection marks to temperature logs and recall drills, wholesalers operate under constant scrutiny that raises costs but also turns safety a...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Costs squeeze wholesalers from multiple sides. Rising purchase, wage and compliance burdens keep profit tight, so operators lean on technology, leaner staffing and smarter as...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2019-2024)
- Industry Tax Structure (2019-2024)
- Income Statement (2019-2024)
- Balance Sheet (2019-2024)
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2024)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2024)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2024)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2024)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States in 2026?
The market size of the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States is $130.0bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States in 2026?
There are 3,937 businesses in the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States?
The Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States?
The Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.9 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States?
The biggest company operating in the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States is Sysco Corporation
What does the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States include?
Beef and Pork are part of the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States?
The company holding the most market share in the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States is Sysco Corporation.
How competitive is the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Beef & Pork Wholesaling industry in the United States.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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