Meat Industry Leaders Gather for MICA’s 2025 AGM and Conference

MICA's 64th Annual General Meeting and Conference in Fort Worth, Texas this week gathered importers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders from around the world for three days of sharing innovative ideas and forging and strengthening collaborations. This year’s AGM highlighted the continued strength of the global meat industry in the face of a shifting trade environment and higher prices.

We are seeing stronger demand in volume across all proteins, explained Anne-Marie Roerink, Principal and Founder of 210 Analytics, during her insightful presentation, Meating U.S. Consumer Demand: Meat Perceptions and Realities in the U.S. Retail and Foodservice Markets. The significant increase in revenue is, in part, inflation driven, she notes, “but the pounds are also up, so if we think about the fact that we've seen that level of inflation, it is astounding to see that we continue to grow."

Len Steiner, founder and principal of Len Steiner Consulting, echoed that sentiment in his Forecast. “The American consumer wants more protein in their diet,” he said. He added, "If you take nothing else away other than this, the demand is shifting: ... not only do they want protein, they want flavor. I do not think it is a fad ... it is here to stay.”

Mike Skahill, Executive Director of MICA said, “Our 2025 AGM is a vital platform for industry growth and innovation so that we can continue to meet the strong U.S. demand for domestic and imported protein.”

“MICA’s annual gathering is the place to be,” said Board Chairman Dana Ehrlich. “The conference continues to attract a dynamic and influential audience, and it is inspiring to see industry leaders from across the globe and across the meat supply chain come together to exchange ideas, share insights, and shape the future of the global meat industry.”