This article gives information on the recent developments, current state and prospects of meat and meat products market in Europe and throughout the world. The importance of meat products for the proper nutrition is characterized; the role of the meat and meat-processing industry in providing consumers with valuable meat products is stressed, these being rich with proteins and other nutrients noted. Prospects and opportunities for development of large transnational operators of the meat market and also of local meat processing enterprises these close to sources of raw materials are described. The characteristics of the machinery and raw materials bases of the meat industry of Ukraine as well as personnel potential are given. The detailed description of the dynamics of the development of food, including meat, industry in recent years, as well as current information about the technical and economic state of the meat industry in early months of 2017 are adduced. The conclusion is made that the conjuncture of the world and European market of meat and meat products is developing in such a way that there exists effective demand for these types of goods, and that the said demand will grow in the medium term with, the prerequisites for the growth of meat consumption in the domestic market of Ukraine being also evident. To realize the existing potential of the meat industry in Ukraine, it is necessary to increase the number of pigs and cattle, to reduce the energy intensity and material consumption of meat production, to provide it with modern technological equipment, and to ensure the welfare of our citizens, the latter being a prerequisite for the solvent demand inland