Beef Liver Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Rising prevalence of nutritional disorder: Anemia is the most common nutritional disorder globally and the WHO in February 2025 has stated that affecting 40% of children and 37% of pregnant women globally. In order to overcome this nutritional deficiency, beef liver is used which is the richest natural source of Vitamin B12 and heme iron. Public health initiatives and growing consumer awareness on these deficiencies which drives the demand for nutrient-dense whole foods.
• Growth of the pet food industry: The pet industry is driving the demand for natural ingredients and high-quality pet food. Beef liver is the major component due to its palatability and high nutrient density. The American Pet Products Association report states that there is a consistent growth in the pet food expenditure. This creates a stable, high-volume trade for manufacturers, allowing them to utilise lower-grade livers that may not meet human consumption standards, thus optimising overall yield and profitability from each carcass.
• Expansion of the dietary supplement sector: The dietary supplement market is expanding rapidly. As per the CDC data in February 2021, 57.6% of people above age 20 use dietary supplements, which is the main driver of the market. Beef livers are processed into powder or capsule form to enhance the nutrients such as iron, Vitamin A, and B12 content. The NIH's Office of Dietary Supplements provides scientific backing for the role of these nutrients, lending credibility to such products. This value-added segment targets people who are more health-conscious and avoid consuming fresh liver, making a significant profit for the manufacturers.

Nutrients in Beef Liver

Source: NLM September 2024

Challenges

• Stringent pathogen and food safety control: Beef liver has a high risk of contamination with Salmonella and E. coli. Companies need to follow a strict Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points procedure, which requires a huge investment in testing and sanitation measures. A single recall has the capability to destroy the reputation and finances of a new entrant. For instance, in 2022, the beef items, such as liver, were contaminated with E. coli and resulted in huge cut losses, demonstrating the operational and cost burden of staying compliant in a high-risk category.
• Significant supply chain issue and perishability costs: Beef liver are mostly consumed in a fresh form and has limited shelf life. New companies entering the market must invest heavily in cold chain logistics such as blast freezers and refrigerated transportation to avoid spoilage and wastage. This is the huge challenge to reach the distant market and increases the operational costs. Greater Omaha Packing has succeed by integrating their own processing and cold chain, but this achievement requires huge investment making it a formidable challenge for new suppliers.