Demand for beef tallow skyrockets
Farmers can raise profit margins by joining the increasingly popular beef tallow trend.
An item that used to be a wasted by-product is now a valued beauty product and is also an alternative to seed oils for cooking. The demand for tallow products has been increasing over the past couple of years.
“We have seen an increase in customers wanting to keep their tallow from their animal in the last couple of years,” said an employee at Key’s Family Butcher Shop. “About 75% of our customers that get their beef USDA inspected and processed request to keep their tallow.”
Since the demand for tallow has been increasing, local farmers are finding ways to market and sell products made from the leftover fat from butchering their cattle. Many render the tallow they get from the butcher and make skincare and cooking products.
“I source my tallow directly from our pasture-raised cattle on my husband’s family’s third-generation farm,” said Anne-Christine Fuller, owner of American Farm Wife.
Fuller’s love for skincare turned into her rendering tallow for herself and family, which then turned into the launch of her platform American Farm Wife. Fuller markets and sells her tallow-based skincare products through this platform.
Tallow is one of the most nutrient-dense fats for human skin, packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins, and deeply nourishing properties.
People everywhere are looking for tallow and wanting locally sourced farm products. By simply identifying your audience and marketing your product on social media, you can create a business and raise your profit margins.
Most local farmers market their tallow products by social media and word of mouth. Using these tactics, most of their sales come from online sales, farmer’s markets and other events and partnering with local retailers.
“There has been a huge resurgence in interest in natural, whole-ingredient skincare, and tallow is at the forefront of that movement. Consumers are becoming more ingredient-conscious, and I’ve noticed I have to educate customers less than before,” said Fuller.
People are seeking out tallow products for many reasons including clean and natural skincare, gentle healing products, alternatives to synthetic lotions, and those looking to include traditional and natural products in their home.
The trend for tallow products is continuously growing and many farmers are taking advantage of this simple, yet complex animal byproduct.
“I’ve had to learn everything from labeling laws and marketing to USDA regulations,” said Fuller. “I also recently discovered that selling cooking tallow requires extensive USDA paperwork, which was an eye-opening experience!”
It is important to check both state and USDA laws and regulations before marketing and selling tallow products of your own.
