According to Circana retail data analysis, prices for packaged lunchmeat averaged $6.28 per pound in June 2023, an increase of 7.4% for the category compared with June 2022.

Maximizing yield in the processing of meat and poultry is crucial for boosting operator revenues. While such factors as the amount of external carcass fat, carcass muscularity and aging all affect yield, mastering superior cutting equipment and techniques is crucial for getting the most product from an animal, analysts say.

The benefits of portion control slicing equipment are numerous for smaller processors.

Processors are experimenting with new slicing and sanitizing innovations that rely on water — along with 3D scanning, sensors and increased automation.