Production of meat and poultry meat products

NACE code 10.13 covers the production of meat and poultry meat products, a vital industry that plays a crucial role in the global food supply chain. This sector is responsible for transforming livestock and poultry into a wide range of consumer-ready products, from fresh and frozen meats to processed items like sausages, ham, and canned goods. As a key component of the broader 10.0 Manufacture of food products industry, the meat and poultry processing sector is a significant contributor to national and international economies, providing employment and supporting the livelihoods of farmers, distributors, and retailers.

The production of meat and poultry meat products involves a series of complex processes. After livestock and poultry are slaughtered and dressed, the carcasses undergo various stages of cutting, deboning, and trimming to separate the meat from bones and other inedible parts. The meat is then either sold as fresh cuts or further processed through methods like curing, smoking, or canning to create a diverse range of finished products. Specialized equipment, such as meat grinders, mixers, and packaging machines, play a crucial role in ensuring efficiency, consistency, and food safety throughout the production cycle.

The meat and poultry processing industry relies on a steady supply of live animals, primarily cattle, pigs, and poultry, as its primary raw material. In addition to the live animals, the industry also requires a range of other inputs, including salt, spices, and other seasonings for curing and flavoring, as well as packaging materials like plastic, paper, and metal cans. Specialized machinery, such as slaughtering equipment, meat cutters, and packaging lines, are also essential inputs for this industry.

The meat and poultry processing industry produces a wide variety of outputs, including fresh and frozen cuts of meat, as well as processed meat products like sausages, ham, bacon, and canned goods. These outputs are then consumed by a range of other industries, such as 10.85 Manufacture of prepared meals and dishes, 47.2 Retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco in specialized stores, and 56.1 Restaurants and mobile food service activities, which further transform or distribute the meat and poultry products to end consumers.