Is meat getting smaller? Meat, sausage and fish shrinkflation

By ShrinkRadar · Updated 2026-11-05 · Every figure comes from a sourced case

Yes. Sausages, salami, chicken and fish packs keep shrinking. We have 45 documented cases of meat, sausages, cold cuts, fish, seafood and meat-free alternatives that got smaller, in Germany, the US, the UK, South Korea, Spain, France, Hong Kong and Japan, from 2009 to 2026, 8 of them in 2026. The median pack lost 15.8% of its contents, an 18.8% hidden price rise per unit at the same pack price. The latest: Nippon Ham Schau Essen sausages, 2-pack bundle (Japan), 234 g → 214 g (2026, nipponham.co.jp). The biggest: Dulano Truthahn Salami Light, 200 g → 100 g (−50.0%). Where the source also recorded the price (27 cases), 27 of 27 cost more per unit afterwards. 22 of the 45 cases are from Germany; 5 of the 9 US cases are hot dog packs.

Meat & Fish Facts

Are meat and fish packs getting smaller?Yes

Documented cuts45

Sausages, salami, ham and chicken30

Fish and seafood10

Meat-free alternatives5

Brands34

Countries8

Years2009–2026

Median cut−15.8%

Hidden rise per unit at the same price (median)+18.8%

Biggest cut−50.0%

Pricier per unit (of 27 priced)27

Check any pack with the unit price calculator.

Latest documented cuts

Meat & Fish · 2026
Nippon Ham Schau Essen sausages, 2-pack bundle (Japan)
234 → 214 g−8.5%
Japan · Source: nipponham.co.jp
Meat & Fish · 2026
Tesco roast chicken drumsticks (UK)
430 → 350 g−18.6%
United Kingdom · Source: allsupers.co.uk
Meat & Fish · 2026
Tesco roast half chicken (UK)
600 → 500 g−16.7%
United Kingdom · Source: allsupers.co.uk
Meat & Fish · 2026
ASDA tender chicken breast mini fillets
650 → 600 g−7.7%
United Kingdom · Source: allsupers.co.uk
Meat & Fish · 2026
Tesco Finest roast turkey breast slices (UK)
120 → 100 g−16.7%
United Kingdom · Source: allsupers.co.uk
Meat & Fish · 2026
Rewe Bio Mini-Salami
25 → 20 g−20.0%
Germany · Source: vzhh.de

Biggest cuts

Meat & Fish · 2018
Dulano Truthahn Salami Light
200 → 100 g−50.0%
Germany · Source: vzhh.de
Meat & Fish · 2025
Wiltmann Bio Rein Rind Salami
80 → 50 g−37.5%
Germany · Source: vzhh.de
Meat & Fish · 2024
Wiltmann Westfälische Salami
400 → 250 g−37.5%
Germany · Source: vzhh.de

Brand tracker: every documented cut

Brands with two or more cases, newest first. Each line is a separate report, often a different size or variety, so the numbers do not always chain.

Brand	Cases	Documented cuts	Biggest
Costa	3	Costa GGN Lachsfilets: 450 → 420 g (2023) Costa Lachsfilets: 250 → 220 g (2023) Costa Wildlachsfilets: 250 → 200 g (2023)	−20.0%
Tesco	3	Tesco Finest roast turkey breast slices (UK): 120 → 100 g (2026) Tesco roast chicken drumsticks (UK): 430 → 350 g (2026) Tesco roast half chicken (UK): 600 → 500 g (2026)	−18.6%
Wiltmann	3	Wiltmann Bio Rein Rind Salami: 80 → 50 g (2025) Wiltmann Rein Rind Salami: 70 → 50 g (2025) Wiltmann Westfälische Salami: 400 → 250 g (2024)	−37.5%
Aldi	2	Almare Sockeye Wildlachs (Aldi): 150 → 100 g (2023) Jack‘s Farm Lammsteaks gesalzen (Aldi): 400 → 300 g (2022)	−33.3%
CJ	2	CJ Baeksul Grill Vienna sausages, 2-pack (South Korea): 640 → 560 g (2023) CJ charcoal-flavour barbecue bar (South Korea): 280 → 230 g (2023)	−17.9%
Nadler	2	Nadler Dill Sahne Heringsfilets mit Gurke & Zwiebel: 400 → 380 g (2026) Nadler Hering in Gelee: 200 → 160 g (2025)	−20.0%
Nathan's	2	Nathan's Bigger Than The Bun franks (2016): 14 → 12 oz (2016) Nathan's frankfurters: 16 → 14 oz (2016)	−14.3%
Rügenwalder Mühle	2	Vegetarische Mühlen Salami Minis: 180 → 165 g (2023) Vegetarische Mühlen Würstchen: 200 → 165 g (2023)	−17.5%

Sausages, salami, ham and chicken

Newest first. “Hidden rise” is the extra you pay per gram or ounce if the pack price stays the same.

Product	Size	Cut	Hidden rise	Price · real change per unit
Nippon Ham Schau Essen sausages, 2-pack bundle (Japan) Nippon Ham · Japan · 2026	234 g → 214 g	−8.5%	+9.3%	—
Tesco roast chicken drumsticks (UK) Tesco · United Kingdom · 2026	430 g → 350 g	−18.6%	+22.9%	£3.75 → £3.25 +6.5%
Tesco roast half chicken (UK) Tesco · United Kingdom · 2026	600 g → 500 g	−16.7%	+20.0%	£6.25 → £5.50 +5.6%
ASDA tender chicken breast mini fillets ASDA · United Kingdom · 2026	650 g → 600 g	−7.7%	+8.3%	£4.97 → £5.00 +9.0%
Tesco Finest roast turkey breast slices (UK) Tesco · United Kingdom · 2026	120 g → 100 g	−16.7%	+20.0%	£3.75 → £3.50 +12.0%
Rewe Bio Mini-Salami Rewe · Germany · 2026	25 g → 20 g	−20.0%	+25.0%	1,69 € → 1,69 € +25.0%
Oscar Mayer Beef Franks Oscar Mayer · United States · 2026	16 oz → 15 oz	−6.2%	+6.7%	—
Wiltmann Bio Rein Rind Salami Wiltmann · Germany · 2025	80 g → 50 g	−37.5%	+60.0%	2,99 € → 2,79 € +49.3%

Show all 30 cases (22 more)

Product	Size	Cut	Hidden rise	Price · real change per unit
Wiltmann Rein Rind Salami Wiltmann · Germany · 2025	70 g → 50 g	−28.6%	+40.0%	2,49 € → 2,29 € +28.8%
Tulip skinless hot dog sausages, 10 pack (Hong Kong) Tulip · Hong Kong · 2021–2024	250 g → 200 g	−20.0%	+25.0%	—
Otel O'Farm processed meat (South Korea) Otel · South Korea · 2024	800 g → 700 g	−12.5%	+14.3%	—
Fleury Michon hachés à poêler au jambon (France) Fleury Michon · France · 2024	400 g → 380 g	−5.0%	+5.3%	—
Wiltmann Westfälische Salami Wiltmann · Germany · 2024	400 g → 250 g	−37.5%	+60.0%	5,99 € → 4,49 € +19.9%
Jack Links Beef Jerky Sweet & Hot Jack Link's · Germany · 2024	70 g → 60 g	−14.3%	+16.7%	4,99 € → 4,49 € +5.0%
CJ charcoal-flavour barbecue bar (South Korea) CJ · South Korea · 2023	280 g → 230 g	−17.9%	+21.7%	—
CJ Baeksul Grill Vienna sausages, 2-pack (South Korea) CJ · South Korea · 2023	640 g → 560 g	−12.5%	+14.3%	₩9,480 → ₩8,890 +7.2%
Mühlenhof Hauchzarter Genuss Nussschinken Mühlenhof · Germany · 2023	125 g → 90 g	−28.0%	+38.9%	1,99 € → 1,99 € +38.9%
Mehlig & Heller Mutters Leberwurst Mehlig & Heller · Germany · 2023	300 g → 250 g	−16.7%	+20.0%	2,59 € → 2,59 € +20.0%
Auchan jambon supérieur slices Auchan · France · 2023	45 g → 40 g	−11.1%	+12.5%	—
Jack‘s Farm Lammsteaks gesalzen (Aldi) Aldi · Germany · 2022	400 g → 300 g	−25.0%	+33.3%	6,99 € → 6,99 € +33.3%
Campofrío jamón cocido €1 pack Campofrío · Spain · 2022	110 g → 90 g	−18.2%	+22.2%	—
Revilla chorizo €1 pack Revilla · Spain · 2022	80 g → 70 g	−12.5%	+14.3%	—
Walmart Chicken Caesar Salad Walmart · United States · 2021	14.375 oz → 12.1 oz	−15.8%	+18.8%	—
Ringsalami Pur Porc Ringsalami · Germany · 2020	400 g → 300 g	−25.0%	+33.3%	4,99 € → 4,29 € +14.6%
Bifi-Roll BiFi · Germany · 2020	150 g → 135 g	−10.0%	+11.1%	2,39 € → 2,49 € +15.8%
Dulano Truthahn Salami Light Dulano · Germany · 2018	200 g → 100 g	−50.0%	+100.0%	1,79 € → 1,19 € +33.0%
Nathan's Bigger Than The Bun franks (2016) Nathan's · United States · 2016	14 oz → 12 oz	−14.3%	+16.7%	—
Nathan's frankfurters Nathan's · United States · 2016	16 oz → 14 oz	−12.5%	+14.3%	—
Ball Park franks (2014) Ball Park · United States · 2014	16 oz → 15 oz	−6.2%	+6.7%	—
Hebrew National franks Hebrew National · United States · 2010	12 oz → 11 oz	−8.3%	+9.1%	—

Fish and seafood

Salmon, tuna, sardines, herring and calamari.

Product	Size	Cut	Hidden rise	Price · real change per unit
Nadler Dill Sahne Heringsfilets mit Gurke & Zwiebel Nadler · Germany · 2026	400 g → 380 g	−5.0%	+5.3%	3,79 € → 3,79 € +5.3%
Nadler Hering in Gelee Nadler · Germany · 2025	200 g → 160 g	−20.0%	+25.0%	2,49 € → 2,69 € +35.0%
Almare Sockeye Wildlachs (Aldi) Aldi · Germany · 2023	150 g → 100 g	−33.3%	+50.0%	4,89 € → 3,49 € +7.1%
Costa Wildlachsfilets Costa · Germany · 2023	250 g → 200 g	−20.0%	+25.0%	6,89 € → 6,89 € +25.0%
Costa Lachsfilets Costa · Germany · 2023	250 g → 220 g	−12.0%	+13.6%	10,99 € → 10,99 € +13.6%
Costa GGN Lachsfilets Costa · Germany · 2023	450 g → 420 g	−6.7%	+7.1%	17,99 € → 17,99 € +7.1%
Season Sardines Season · United States · 2021	4.375 oz → 3.75 oz	−14.3%	+16.7%	—
Edeka Calamares à la Romana Edeka · Germany · 2020	500 g → 400 g	−20.0%	+25.0%	3,92 € → 3,72 € +18.6%
Chicken of the Sea salmon Chicken of the Sea · United States · 2010	3 oz → 2.6 oz	−13.3%	+15.4%	—
Kirkland tuna (Costco) Kirkland · United States · 2009	7 oz → 6.5 oz	−7.1%	+7.7%	—

Meat-free alternatives

Vegetarian and vegan sausages, mince and salami.

Product	Size	Cut	Hidden rise	Price · real change per unit
Beyond Meat Hack Beyond Meat · Germany · 2024	300 g → 250 g	−16.7%	+20.0%	3,99 € → 3,99 € +20.0%
Protein Chunks Hack Govinda · Germany · 2023	175 g → 125 g	−28.6%	+40.0%	4,49 € → 3,99 € +24.4%
Vegetarische Mühlen Würstchen Rügenwalder Mühle · Germany · 2023	200 g → 165 g	−17.5%	+21.2%	2,99 € → 2,99 € +21.2%
Vegetarische Mühlen Salami Minis Rügenwalder Mühle · Germany · 2023	180 g → 165 g	−8.3%	+9.1%	2,99 € → 2,99 € +9.1%
Richmond meat-free sausages Richmond · United Kingdom · 2022	336 g → 304 g	−9.5%	+10.5%	—

By country

Country	Cases	Median cut
Germany	22	−20.0%
United States	9	−12.5%
United Kingdom	5	−16.7%
South Korea	3	−12.5%
Spain	2	−15.3%
France	2	−8.1%
Hong Kong	1	−20.0%
Japan	1	−8.5%

By year

Documented cases by the year the source dates the change. This counts what was reported, not every pack that shrank, so a busy year can simply mean more coverage.

12009

22010

02011

02012

02013

12014

02015

22016

02017

12018

02019

32020

22021

42022

122023

62024

32025

82026

Hatched bar: 2026 so far (partial year).

Year	Cases	Median cut	Biggest cut that year
2026 (so far)	8	−12.6%	Rewe Bio Mini-Salami 25 → 20 g (−20.0%)
2025	3	−28.6%	Wiltmann Bio Rein Rind Salami 80 → 50 g (−37.5%)
2024	6	−15.5%	Wiltmann Westfälische Salami 400 → 250 g (−37.5%)
2023	12	−17.1%	Almare Sockeye Wildlachs (Aldi) 150 → 100 g (−33.3%)
2022	4	−15.3%	Jack‘s Farm Lammsteaks gesalzen (Aldi) 400 → 300 g (−25.0%)
2021	2	−15.1%	Walmart Chicken Caesar Salad 14.375 → 12.1 oz (−15.8%)
2020	3	−20.0%	Ringsalami Pur Porc 400 → 300 g (−25.0%)
2018	1	−50.0%	Dulano Truthahn Salami Light 200 → 100 g (−50.0%)
2016	2	−13.4%	Nathan's Bigger Than The Bun franks (2016) 14 → 12 oz (−14.3%)
2014	1	−6.2%	Ball Park franks (2014) 16 → 15 oz (−6.2%)
2010	2	−10.8%	Chicken of the Sea salmon 3 → 2.6 oz (−13.3%)
2009	1	−7.1%	Kirkland tuna (Costco) 7 → 6.5 oz (−7.1%)

How to compare meat and fish packs

Price per kg or per pound. Meat and fish packs vary in weight even on the same shelf; only the unit price is a fair comparison.
Hot dogs: Hebrew National franks 12 oz → 11 oz (United States, 2010); Ball Park franks (2014) 16 oz → 15 oz (United States, 2014); Nathan's Bigger Than The Bun franks (2016) 14 oz → 12 oz (United States, 2016).
Sliced meat: Mühlenhof Hauchzarter Genuss Nussschinken 125 g → 90 g (Germany, 2023); Campofrío jamón cocido €1 pack 110 g → 90 g (Spain, 2022); Tesco Finest roast turkey breast slices (UK) 120 g → 100 g (United Kingdom, 2026); check the grams, not the number of layers.
Cooked chicken and turkey: Tesco roast chicken drumsticks (UK) 430 g → 350 g (United Kingdom, 2026); Tesco Finest roast turkey breast slices (UK) 120 g → 100 g (United Kingdom, 2026); Tesco roast half chicken (UK) 600 g → 500 g (United Kingdom, 2026).
Look it up: search a brand, or use the barcode lookup.

More: all meat & fish cases · frozen food shrinkflation · ready meal shrinkflation · butter, cheese & yogurt · store brands · Germany list · US tracker · UK tracker · Thanksgiving & holiday meal.

ShrinkRadar Index for meat and fish: +19.3% per unit vs +3.0% official inflation (median of the same 26 priced cases since 2018)

Brand records

FAQ

Are meat and fish packs getting smaller?

Yes. Sausages, salami, chicken and fish packs keep shrinking. ShrinkRadar has 45 documented cases of meat, sausages, cold cuts, fish, seafood and meat-free alternatives sold in smaller packs or with fewer items, in Germany, the US, the UK, South Korea, Spain, France, Hong Kong and Japan, from 2009 to 2026 (8 of them in 2026). The median cut is 15.8%, which is an 18.8% higher price per unit if the pack price stayed the same. The most recent: Nippon Ham Schau Essen sausages, 2-pack bundle (Japan) 234 g → 214 g (2026); Tesco roast chicken drumsticks (UK) 430 g → 350 g (2026); Tesco roast half chicken (UK) 600 g → 500 g (2026); ASDA tender chicken breast mini fillets 650 g → 600 g (2026).

Which meat or fish product shrank the most?

Dulano Truthahn Salami Light: 200 g → 100 g (−50.0%, 2018, source: vzhh.de). Others with big cuts: Wiltmann Bio Rein Rind Salami 80 g → 50 g; Wiltmann Westfälische Salami 400 g → 250 g; Almare Sockeye Wildlachs (Aldi) 150 g → 100 g.

Has Costa shrunk its packs?

Yes. 3 documented cuts, newest first: Costa GGN Lachsfilets 450 g → 420 g (2023); Costa Lachsfilets 250 g → 220 g (2023); Costa Wildlachsfilets 250 g → 200 g (2023).

Has Tesco shrunk its packs?

Yes. 3 documented cuts, newest first: Tesco Finest roast turkey breast slices (UK) 120 g → 100 g (2026); Tesco roast chicken drumsticks (UK) 430 g → 350 g (2026); Tesco roast half chicken (UK) 600 g → 500 g (2026).

Has Wiltmann shrunk its packs?

Yes. 3 documented cuts, newest first: Wiltmann Bio Rein Rind Salami 80 g → 50 g (2025); Wiltmann Rein Rind Salami 70 g → 50 g (2025); Wiltmann Westfälische Salami 400 g → 250 g (2024).

Did the price per unit go up?

Where the source recorded the price before and after (27 cases), 27 cost more per unit afterwards.

Are hot dogs getting smaller?

Yes. 6 documented cuts to packs of franks and hot dog sausages: Hebrew National franks 12 oz → 11 oz (United States, 2010); Ball Park franks (2014) 16 oz → 15 oz (United States, 2014); Nathan's Bigger Than The Bun franks (2016) 14 oz → 12 oz (United States, 2016); Nathan's frankfurters 16 oz → 14 oz (United States, 2016); Tulip skinless hot dog sausages, 10 pack (Hong Kong) 250 g → 200 g (Hong Kong, 2021–2024); Oscar Mayer Beef Franks 16 oz → 15 oz (United States, 2026).

Is salami getting smaller?

Yes. 6 salami cases, the biggest: Dulano Truthahn Salami Light 200 g → 100 g (Germany, 2018); Wiltmann Bio Rein Rind Salami 80 g → 50 g (Germany, 2025); Wiltmann Westfälische Salami 400 g → 250 g (Germany, 2024); Wiltmann Rein Rind Salami 70 g → 50 g (Germany, 2025).

Is fish getting smaller?

Yes. 10 fish and seafood cases, the biggest: Almare Sockeye Wildlachs (Aldi) 150 g → 100 g (Germany, 2023); Costa Wildlachsfilets 250 g → 200 g (Germany, 2023); Edeka Calamares à la Romana 500 g → 400 g (Germany, 2020); Nadler Hering in Gelee 200 g → 160 g (Germany, 2025).

How do I compare meat prices fairly?

Use the price per kg or per pound, not per pack. The unit price calculator compares packs by weight or count.

Where does this data come from?

From nipponham.co.jp, allsupers.co.uk, vzhh.de, mouseprint.org, thestandard.com.hk, segye.com, foodwatch.org, yna.co.kr. Each case page quotes or links its source, and we list a cut only when the source gives both the old and the new size or count. We do not estimate.