Friday September 28, 2012

Meat Snack Products Beef Up Image

New York — Jerky sales increased 13.6 percent to $760.2 million during the year ended August 12, according to market research company SymphonyIRI Group. Sales rose 13.4 percent in 2011.

Jerky's increased popularity is attributed to greater consumer preference for protein-rich products as well as marketing efforts to combat jerky's negative connotation.

Oberto Brands now includes “all natural” jerky products and has removed corn syrup, dextrose, and sodium nitrite and monosodium glutamate, which are used as a preservative and a flavor-enhancer, respectively, says Tom Ennis, CEO of the company.

Further, many brands are now releasing gourmet flavors, such as Krave Jerky's Sweet Chipotle or Pineapple Orange, to attract more customers. According to Innova Market Insights, there were 140 meat snack product introductions last year, compared with just 75 two years earlier.