ip 58f per capita protein food consumption trends which products do consumers pur chase figure 1 shows the in domestic pounds for four major meats us consumer diet from 1970 to 1995 these data are based on disappearance of meat sup ply rather than actual generally overestimate how ever by keeping track over time researchers can determine relative changes although beef has remained roughly three fifths share red consump tion during last quarter century declined average 15 percent 114 97 same period pork fell 13 72 63 0 contrast chicken more doubled 40 81 9 moreover s total poul try exceeded 80 turkey con sumption grew 127 8 18 4 prices income preferences prod uct development and marketing mix have largely shaped