U.S. meat consumption is due to rebound after falling nearly 10 percent in the past seven years, Purdue University Extension economist Chris Hurt said last week.

In 2007, meat consumption per person in the U.S. was 219 pounds for beef, pork, chicken and turkey, he noted. Current USDA estimates for this year are down to 199 pounds per person.

Out of the 20 pound total reduction, beef...