Niche Pork

Revised September 2025.

Overview

Niche marketing is targeting a product or service to a small market segment that is not being served or in which demand has not exceeded supply. A market niche can be identified as a market that has different characteristics than the traditional market provides. Some examples of niche pork in particular would be antibiotic free pork, heritage breeds and organic pork. Past surveys have shown that some consumers are willing to pay more for certain niche pork attributes. 

Marketing

• Hogs, Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA.
• Global Agricultural Trade System, Foreign Ag Service (FAS), USDA
• Niche Production, Iowa Pork Industry Center

Production

• Biosecurity for Alternative Swine Production, University of Minnesota Swine Extension research reports.

Processing/Manufacturing

• American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) - Representing more than 1,300 small- and medium-sized meat, poultry and food businesses.
• Labeling Procedures, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), USDA.

References

• Niche Pork, Pork Checkoff