Top 10 Canned Meat Companies Shaping the Future of Packaged Food

In today’s fast-paced world, canned meat has become a convenient and practical solution for consumers seeking quick and easy meal options. Offering minimum cooking time without the need to cook for long hours or defrost beforehand, canned meat perfectly caters to users with busy lifestyles who need a nutritional meal. These products are easy to use and versatile, making them a staple in many households.

Additionally, the packaged and frozen food industry has witnessed remarkable innovation over recent years, with manufacturers constantly pushing the boundaries to improve quality, taste, and variety. Top canned meat brands are actively expanding their product portfolios and entering international markets, ensuring the canned meat products deliver flavors similar to fresh meat.

As stated by Fortune Business Insights, global canned meat is predicted to reach USD 46.86 billion by 2032, showcasing a CAGR of 4.72% during the forecast period.

List of Top 10 Canned Meat Brands, Profiled by Fortune Business Insights:

1. Hormel Foods Corporation

Commonly referred to as Hormel, Hormel Foods Corporation is an American multinational food processing firm that has expanded its product portfolio over the years. This includes food items, including frozen goods, fresh meats, refrigerated meal solutions, snacks, and canned meats. The company is noticing a prominent growth and is expected to lead the industry owing to its innovative product, strong brand recognition, and higher quality. 

2. Tyson Foods, Inc.

Tyson Foods, Inc. is based in the U.S. and produces and markets high-quality meat products. Its operations are spread across over 50 food product lines, including pork, chicken, and beef. The firm is renowned for offering various canned meat products under different brands, including Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm. This enables the company to cater to different consumer preferences and diet-related needs. The firm aims to grow its food operations by upgrading and expanding its global network and supply chain with higher product and service quality.

3. Conagra Brands Inc.

Conagra Brands, Inc. is a prominent company operating in the food industry, known for its wide range of product portfolios, including canned meat products. This is marketed under well-known brands including PAM, Hunt’s, and Marie Callender’s. The company has a wide distribution network enabling product availability in supermarkets, online platforms, and grocery stores. This is vital for gaining a competitive advantage and maintaining market share.

4. JBS S.A.

JBS S.A. is a Brazil-based company renowned as one of the largest meat processors globally. The firm also processes lamb, beef, pork, and chicken. It is also known for producing convenience foods. The firm is investing in innovation and technology to enhance the production volume and quality, to extend the shelf life, as it is vital in the canned meat sector. This aids the company in maintaining a competitive advantage in the market. For instance, the company capitalized USD 28.3 million in a beef plant in Brazil to double its processing capacity in April 2024.

5. Smithfield Foods, Inc. 

One of the largest packaged meat producers globally, Smithfield Foods has a strong presence in the canned meat supply. It is highly known for the quality of its products, including canned meats such as sausages and hams. A Chinese multinational company, WH Group Limited, owns the firm. It maintains its prominence in the industry by offering innovative products, a robust supply chain, an emphasis on sustainability, and efforts to expand the business.

6. Bolton Group

An Italian-based company, Bolton Group, offers a wide range of canned products, including meat and seafood. It operates through over 50 well-known brands with a presence across different countries. This enables the firm to cater to different consumer needs and operate in the international and local markets. The firm also invests in acquisitions and strategic mergers to gain a competitive advantage. For instance, it acquired Wild Planet Foods Inc., an American-based canned seafood company, in August 2021, strengthening its presence across the U.S.

7. Vion Group

Vion N.V. is internationally known for producing beef, pork, and related meat items. The firm is expanding its offerings and gaining a stronger market position through acquisition strategies. For instance, it took over Hausner GmbH in November 2022, which operates in livestock, thus strengthening its supply chain across the Eastern Germany region.

8. McCallum Industries  

McCallum Industries, a renowned New Zealand-based firm, produces a wide range of canned meat products, including soups, beef, and mutton. It emphasizes providing quality and adhering to USDA and New Zealand food regulations. The company is also known for its sustainable practices, as it has executed a HACCP quality system to ensure high standards in food safety and quality. This allows the company to meet consumers’ needs for sustainability and transparency in food production.

9. Keystone Meats

Keystone Meats, a family-owned business, specializes in natural canned meats such as chicken and beef with higher quality and less processing. The meats are cooked in a can slowly to preserve the natural flavors and juices with no artificial ingredients and preservatives. The company has gained brand value by providing higher convenience, emphasizing quality, and retaining the family values to resonate with the consumers needing tasty and reliable meal choices.

10. Werling & Sons, Inc.

A fourth-generation family-owned business, Werling & Sons, offers canned meat products ranging from turkey, beef, chicken, and pork to canned beef. These products are available in different can sizes, catering to various consumer needs for everyday meals or even during emergencies. All the products offered by the company are certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, thus ensuring that they meet high standards concerning quality and safety.

How Will Clean Labels are Reshaping the Future of Canned Meat Providers?

The future of the canned food and processed food industry will be shaped by a strong shift toward sustainable packaging and transparent food labeling, driven by increasingly conscious consumers demanding clarity regarding their food. Transparent and clean labels will become the norm, providing comprehensive information about ingredients, sourcing, and production processes. This trend will empower consumers to make informed, health-conscious choices aligned with their ethical and environmental values.