Seventy-two percent of U.S. shoppers are planning to buy the same amount of pork as they did last summer. However, according to a recent survey from Advantage Solutions, the leading provider of outsourced sales and marketing services to some of the world’s largest consumer goods manufacturers and retailers, 75% of shoppers are “always” or “often” looking for meat on sale during grilling season.

“It’s important that retailers remember that consumers are looking for smoking hot deals on smoking hot meat,” says Gil Phipps, senior vice president of global customer solutions for Advantage Solutions.

The online survey of 662 U.S. shoppers conducted on May 23, revealed that most Americans who plan to buy pork products this year are focused on price, quality and taste. Very few are focused on factors such as brand (4%), organic certification (3%) and animal welfare standards (2%).  

As for pricing, retailers and consumer packaged goods companies are leaning heavily into promotions and upping their execution on displays this year to cater to them, according to the latest Advantage Outlook. Many of these promotions will cater to the cravings of summer revelers during key grilling weekends and holidays, says Andy Keenan, executive vice president and general manager at Advantage Solutions.

Keenan and his team at Advantage advise retailers to prepare for a notable uptick in meat and poultry sales during summer months as consumers seek out their favorite cuts and varieties best suited for outdoor cooking.

As for specific pork cuts, 73% of respondents will buy pork chops at least once a month this summer, 36% will purchase at least once a week. Sixty-five percent will buy pork ribs at least once a month, 30% will buy at least once a week, and 62% of survey respondents will buy pork tenderloin at least once a month this summer, with 31% purchasing it at least once a week.

More than half of Americans prefer to cook pork outside during the summer, either barbecuing, grilling, smoking or whole-hog roasting. Nearly 25% of respondents said barbequing is their preferred way to cook/prepare pork during the summer, with 19% for grilling, 18% baking and 17% roasting.

When it comes to sides, vegetables and potatoes rank as the top two side dishes to accompany pork. Twenty-three percent say they will always serve vegetables, while 87% will serve vegetables as a side to pork at least sometimes. Sixty-eight percent will serve coleslaw and 84% will serve corn on the cob as a side to pork at least sometimes this summer. Ninety-two percent will serve potato as a side to pork at least sometimes this summer, with 20% always, and 40% often.

As for seasonings, barbecue sauce leads the way with 47% of respondents ranking it as the sauce they pair most often with pork during the summer.