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The global meat market is expected to generate $ 1.55 trillion in revenue this year. As one of the highly competitive yet lucrative industries, the international meat market holds enormous potential for new and existing distributors who are looking for groundbreaking strategies to conquer the market. Meat is one of the primary sources of protein, consumed worldwide.
The industry is highly influenced by certain factors such as consumer preferences. People consume different kinds of meat, including beef, chicken, fish, pork, and others. The market is also subdivided into further segments. Meat can be traded in as fresh, frozen, or processed.
If you are aiming to sell your wholesale meat, which could be in bulk volumes of fresh and processed beef, chicken, or pork, then you need to understand the patterns followed by one of the biggest purchasing markets: the food industry.
Restaurants are your prime source of income as they seek most of their produce from wholesale distributors. The distributors are the intermediaries responsible for purchasing meat from sources such as farms and ranches to supply. One of the biggest reasons behind targeting the restaurant for your business is the consistent need for all kinds of fresh, frozen, and processed meat. Restaurants require exotic cuts to serve and often look for export-quality meat to maintain their standards and justify prices.
As a distributor, you can target small, medium, and large-sized food businesses to start or expand your business.
Another one of the primary considerations that gives this industry a different edge is Halal, organic, and exported certifications, which can raise the value of your product in terms of money.
Let's look at the market selling opportunities for fresh and frozen markets. The purpose is to understand which business niche is easy to start as a meat distributor and what will provide more profitability in the long run.
Frozen meat is distributed globally and imported worldwide. It is best suitable for long distance delivery and could be stored in up to negative 20 degrees centigrade of temperature. Beef, goat, mutton, chicken, and almost every type of seafood are distributed worldwide in frozen form. It is very cost-effective and can be sold at a great price. It is easily exported through air, sea, and land ways.
Despite its numerous benefits, people are still not very fond of incorporating frozen meat into their daily food intake. They are preferring more fresh and organic options, focusing more on using whole foods instead of frozen foods.
Nothing could beat the benefits of using fresh meat. People prefer it over frozen and processed meat, and it is one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy by hitting protein goals. It has a higher market price if it is organic, specialty meat, Halal, or grass-fed. Local restaurants pay millions of dollars to stock their pantries with premium, fresh meat.
However, with unlimited benefits from the business perspective, it has a very low shelf life. Keeping it fresh and maintaining the health factors requires a proper warehousing and cold storage system, which could be very costly.
It is essential to consider the pros and cons before selecting the mode of distribution and product type. Each type comes with its own growth opportunities and business challenges. However, strategies could be made to overcome these challenges and double the profitability.
If you are new to the meat distribution business, you need to look at the following steps more closely:
Start by choosing your business plan. It means there are several ways to enter the market as a meat distributor. You can become an online meat distributor through various channels, including B2B websites and niche-specific platforms, or initiate by approaching your local restaurant or food chain.
After selecting your business plan, focus on starting with one type of meat. Select your product line. You can start with the distribution of lamb, beef, chicken, and fish. It totally depends on the market behaviour. For example, selling beef in India is not a very profitable business; however, it is highly profitable in the USA.
One of the most important aspects of becoming a successful meat distributor and exporting it worldwide is obtaining certification. You may need:
A food certification license
Halal certification (if you are planning to distribute Halal meat)
Export licenses
FDA Approval certification.
We have streamlined some basic strategies to approach wholesale buyers more effectively. These business strategies are helpful to extend your meat distribution business to a new level. You can generate more leads, resulting in increased sales.
The first strategy is to focus on selling your business. The primary goal is to sell your unique selling point, which will help you stand out from the competition. Your primary focus should be on the consumer market and developing strategies to build long and trusting relationships.
For better results, use digital marketing and stay in touch with buyers 24/7. You can take follow-up orders and remain informed about their remarks regarding meat quality and overall service.
You can use certain online platforms to reach your target market and connect with buyers. It is highly recommended to use online platforms for quick results.
The following are the top online platforms to start your international meat trading business:
Tradewheel.com is a great platform for new meat sellers. It connects you directly with global meat buyers, including beef buyers and goat meat importers. You can list your meat products, showcase certifications, and attract international meat trading companies. This site is useful if you're exporting frozen meat, fresh cuts, or specialty meat like Halal beef. For those planning to grow in the USA market, Tradewheel has verified meat importers in the USA. It's easy to set up your seller profile and start getting buyer inquiries. Ideal for bulk sellers and exporters looking to expand their business reach quickly.
MLA is helpful for sellers involved in beef or goat meat exports. It offers resources, trade data, and direct support for entering international meat trading markets. Sellers can get help with certifications and connecting with verified meat importers. If you're targeting meat buyers in Australia, then this platform supports building trade partnerships. It's ideal for distributors looking to promote quality red meat products and grow globally. MLA is especially good for those new to exporting meat, offering tools to manage risk and open doors in premium markets. It's trusted by serious industry players.
Barn2Door is a digital platform for selling fresh, local meat online. It helps new sellers reach restaurants, caterers, and goat meat buyers. While it's focused on the USA market, it's also useful for anyone trying to build a strong brand in the local meat business. You can use it to offer direct sales to meat buyers who prefer farm-to-table options. It's simple to use and supports sellers with delivery, order, and management tools. A good platform if you're starting small, but want to scale and reach serious meat importers in the USA.
Alibaba.com is one of the largest B2B websites for international meat trading. It's ideal for meat sellers, beef exporters, and goat meat distributors who want to reach global meat importers. Sellers can create a detailed product page, add certifications, and get inquiries from buyers across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the USA. This platform is great for new distributors because it gives access to bulk orders and large foodservice clients. If you're exporting frozen meat or looking to enter the USA meat market, Alibaba offers wide visibility and trusted trade tools.
FoodExport.org helps meat suppliers in the USA reach international buyers. It's ideal for companies wanting to connect with goat meat buyers, beef buyers, and other meat importers abroad. It offers export training, buyer matchmaking, and trade show opportunities. If you're new to international meat trading, this platform provides expert support. Sellers can also learn how to meet quality and safety standards. FoodExport.org is perfect for small and mid-size businesses wanting to grow beyond the local market. You can discover trusted meat buyers and build long-term trade relationships with buyers across the world.
Global Sources is a reliable B2B platform for connecting meat sellers with verified international meat buyers. It's great for those dealing in frozen beef, goat meat, and poultry products. Sellers can upload product specs, certifications, and pricing to attract serious meat importers, especially from Asia and the USA. This platform supports sellers with sourcing events, trade shows, and virtual meetings. For businesses entering international meat trading, it offers real buyer traffic and tools to boost trust. If you're a new distributor or exporter, Global Sources is a smart way to start reaching global meat buyers.
BlueCart is a food supply platform used by restaurants and foodservice businesses in the USA. It's a great place for sellers who want to reach meat importers in the USA. If you deal in fresh or frozen beef or goat meat, you can connect directly with chefs and purchasing managers. Sellers can manage orders, inventory, and delivery within the app. It's simple to use and built for growing your B2B meat business. BlueCart is ideal for small producers or wholesalers looking to scale and find consistent meat buyers in the foodservice industry.
EC21 connects global meat sellers with beef buyers, goat meat importers, and large food companies. It's based in South Korea but used by buyers across Asia, the Middle East, and the USA. Sellers can create product listings for frozen meat, offer bulk pricing, and add certificates. It's a strong platform for expanding into international meat trading. If you're starting out, EC21 offers free and premium accounts to test your market. You can also respond to buyer RFQs and attend virtual trade shows. It's perfect for exporters who want long-term buyers.
Freshline is a digital ordering system built for meat suppliers selling to restaurants and grocery chains. It's ideal if you offer fresh meat, chilled beef, or specialty goat meat. Sellers can set their own pricing, delivery days, and minimum order quantities. Freshline helps you manage your customers and get repeat orders from reliable meat buyers. Though focused on the local market, it's beneficial for growing relationships with meat importers in the USA. If you're new and want better control of your sales process, Freshline is a user-friendly tool to scale your meat business.
HKTDC is a top platform for connecting sellers with international meat buyers across Asia and the world. It's perfect for exporters of frozen goat meat, beef, and other bulk meat products. Sellers can join trade fairs, list on the website, and access verified meat importers from the USA, China, the Middle East, and Europe. It also provides guidance on market entry, export rules, and trade leads. If you're looking to expand your meat business globally, HKTDC offers firm support and access to buyers that are ready to place large orders. Great for scaling quickly.
The global meat market is thriving and offering you an excellent opportunity to avail yourself and become a meat distributor. In this blog, we have included the top market strategies that you can build to connect with buyers and sell them meat online. We have discussed the mode of business and a step-by-step business process to start your business today.
