Jerky is a dried, seasoned meat snack made by curing and dehydrating lean cuts, spanning beef, poultry, pork and game as well as plant-based analogues, in strip, bite and stick formats. The category carries strong high-protein, low-carb and on-the-go positioning, and ranges from traditional smoky and peppered styles to bold marinades and premium grass-fed or clean-label lines. For wholesale and export buyers, jerky is a high-value, shelf-stable protein snack with growing demand across grocery, convenience, outdoor and travel channels. Sourcing considerations are significant and category-specific: as a meat product, jerky faces the strictest cross-border rules of any snack - many countries restrict or prohibit imported meat products, require veterinary certification and approved-establishment sourcing, and enforce species-specific bans tied to animal-health status. Shelf life depends on moisture, cure and packaging, and modified-atmosphere or oxygen-absorber packs are common. Labelling of preservatives, sodium and allergens varies by market. Buyers ranging jerky often pair it with Nuts and Trail Mix, while plant-based versions relate to Plant-Based Meat.