For the Latin American meat and poultry marketplace, the year 2017 has been marked by the political uncertainty generated by the United States.

Here at Midan Marketing, we work hard to stay on top of news and trends in the meat industry. As the year 2017 has wrapped up, I wanted to reflect with you on some of last year's prominent trends that we believe will impact 2018.

Ask economists and industry analysts, and many of them will tell you 2017 very well may have been the best year the meat and poultry industries have ever had. Further, many have 2018 projected to be a successful follow-up to 2017's chart-topping string of hits.

Brookwood Farms is one of the only meat processors in the country that measures its cooking capacity by the yard instead of by the pound. All total, the company has 900 yards worth of pit space in its Siler City, N.C. headquarters.

More than ever before, consumers are deciding the quality of their restaurant meal before even trying a bite of it. Many of their judgments are in place just by reading the menu.

Consumers still want protein, but are more willing to experiment with healthy, preservative-free choices.

A new endeavor in Montana is helping to provide meat to veterans in need of assistance.

When asked to describe the past year, the American Veal Association president uses the word "stability."

Lower sheep inventory has translated to steady to lower domestic production year-to-year, yet increasing import volume has led to higher domestic lamb availability. While lamb supplies increase, demand remains strong.