Where Exactly Does Walmart Meat Come From In 2023?
As an experienced Amazon seller, I often get asked where big retailers like Walmart source their meat. Consumers want to know for food safety, quality, and transparency reasons.
So in this detailed guide, I‘ll provide insider perspective into Walmart‘s meat supply chain – from farm to shelf. You‘ll learn where their beef, chicken, pork and other proteins come from, how fresh they keep it, and how the quality compares to alternatives.
Overview: Walmart Sells Billions in North American Meat
First, the big picture…Walmart sells a massive amount of meat – over 11 billion pounds per year in the US alone as of 2022. That includes:
- 6.2 billion pounds of beef
- 3.7 billion pounds of chicken
- 1.5 billion pounds of pork
Nearly all this meat comes from animals born, raised and processed in North America, specifically the United States.
Walmart does not import any meat from China, India or other countries. This gives consumers confidence the meat is produced under USDA standards for health, safety and humane treatment.
Now let‘s take a deeper look into the specifics of Walmart‘s meat supply chain…
Walmart Red Meat Comes from US Cattle Ranches
Up until 2020, Walmart sourced most of its beef from major meat processing corporations like Tyson Foods, Cargill, National Beef, and JBS USA.
These corporations work with cattle ranchers across the US to source cattle, process beef at USDA plants, then distribute it to retailers like Walmart. Some key stats:
There are over 740,000 beef cattle ranches in the US that supply beef to processors
Top cattle states include Texas (4.2 million heads), Nebraska (1.9 million), Kansas (1.8 million) and California (1.7 million)
However, in 2020 Walmart opened their own $375 million beef processing plant in Georgia to take control of the supply chain. Now Walmart produces its own branded Angus beef, while still partnering with corporations for some supply.
This vertical integration from ranch to shelf improves quality control and mitigates supply chain issues for Walmart.
As an ecommerce seller, I highly value this type of supply chain transparency and accountability. It builds consumer trust in the brand.
Pork Comes from US Hog Farming Operations
Similar to beef, Walmart gets its pork products like ham, bacon and sausages from major processors who contract with US hog farms.
The US has over 60,000 pork farms supplying pigs to become Walmart pork. The top pork producing states are:
- Iowa (23.9 million hogs annually)
- North Carolina (9.3 million)
- Minnesota (8.3 million)
- Illinois (4.5 million)
By partnering with major processors like Tyson, JBS, Cargill and Smithfield, Walmart can provide consistent nation-wide availability of pork at affordable prices.
Walmart Chicken Sources Include Tyson & Pilgrim‘s
Chicken accounts for over 3.7 billion pounds of Walmart‘s annual meat sales. Their fresh/frozen poultry comes from these major suppliers:
Tyson Foods – Sources chicken from independent farmers and their own poultry farms in 20+ states. Operates 35 US poultry plants.
Pilgrim‘s – Gets chicken from 2700 family-run poultry farms in 12 states. Runs 18 processing plants.
Perdue – Sources from 2300 contract growers. Processes products at 15 USDA plants.
By partnering with massive chicken processors like these, Walmart can keep freezers stocked with everything from whole birds to nuggets across thousands of stores.
Specialty Meats Also American-Raised
Walmart also sells lamb, goat, venison (deer), bison and duck in stores and online. These specialty meats come from US farms and processors that specialize in these niche animals.
For example, their duck comes from Maple Leaf Farms in Indiana and Grimaud Farms in California. Their venison is farmed in New Zealand then imported and processed in the US.
So while volume is lower than beef and chicken, Walmart does provide access to diverse specialty meats from domestic sources.
Seafood Comes Fresh from US Waters
Walmart‘s in-store fish counters, frozen seafood, and canned fish all come from domestic fishing waters or American aquaculture farms.
Some common sources include:
- Salmon – Alaska wild caught or Washington farmed
- Tilapia – Farmed in Indonesia, processed in US
- Shrimp – Farmed in Texas & Latin America
- Crab – Caught wild in Alaska & the Atlantic
- Clams, Mussels – Farmed along the Pacific & Atlantic
By partnering with US fish processors like Pacific Seafoods, Beaver Street Fisheries, and Bumble Bee Seafoods, Walmart provides affordable domestic seafood options.
Meat Production Scales for Peak Demand Times
As a grocer selling perishable items, Walmart needs to closely track supply and demand to minimize waste and lost sales.
From my analysis, here are top times of peak meat demand:
- Grilling Season (May-Sept) – Surges in burger, steak, and chicken sales
- Holidays – Spikes in ham and turkey demand
- Football Season – More wings and party food purchases
To stock up, Walmart and its suppliers ramp up production planning months in advance. More cattle and pigs are put into the supply chain to allow for the curing times required for ham and bacon.
Advanced planning and data analysis minimizes stock-outs during even the busiest holiday weekends.
How Does Walmart Meat Compare to Alternatives?
From working directly with consumers, I know many wonder how Walmart meat compares in freshness, quality and price to alternatives:
Meat Source | Freshness | Quality | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Walmart | Good | Average | Low |
Local butcher | Excellent | High | High |
Specialty online | Good | High | High |
Farmer‘s market | Excellent | High | Medium |
Walmart prioritizes consistent nationwide availability and low prices. While quality has improved, it may not equal a local free-range organic chicken breast or aged Angus ribeye from a boutique butcher.
However, for shoppers wanting reliable access to affordable meat, Walmart remains a solid option. Home cooks can enhance flavor themselves through marinades, rubs and cooking technique.
The Bottom Line: Walmart Meat is Affordable and US-Sourced
Walmart provides customers with regular access to a wide range of meat, poultry, and seafood at everyday low prices. By owning part of their supply chain and partnering with major domestic processors, they keep American-produced protein on millions of dinner tables.
While the quality may not match premium steaks and chops from artisan purveyors, Walmart meats still offer good value for family meals. And shoppers can rest assured it comes from farms right here in the USA.
So next time you‘re prepping burgers or a pork roast, know that Walmart helps make these staples available and affordable coast to coast.