UK sees uptick in retail beef spending amidst varied meat consumption trends

UK – UK consumers have recently increased their spending on beef products by 5.8% compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). 

This rise is attributed to a 0.7% boost in purchase volumes and a 5.1% hike in average prices paid.​

Breaking down the beef category, primary beef volumes experienced a 0.9% uptick. Specifically, minced beef purchases grew by 2%, driven by more frequent purchases and a larger customer base. 

Diced beef saw a notable 7.9% increase in volume, which AHDB credits to a rise in both the number of buyers and the quantities they purchased. 

Steak sales also climbed by 3.7% year-on-year, primarily due to shoppers buying more often.​

Processed beef products witnessed a 2.9% rise in purchased volumes. 

Within this segment, burgers and grills experienced a 3.3% increase, influenced by both higher purchase frequency and an expanded shopper base. 

Beef sausages stood out with a substantial 32.5% surge, equating to an additional 174 tonnes sold, mainly due to attracting more buyers.​

Added-value beef items, such as sous vide and marinated products, collectively saw a 7.2% volume increase. 

Decline in Lamb Purchases

Conversely, lamb products faced a 4.1% reduction in purchased volumes during the same 12-week period, though overall spending rose due to a 4.7% increase in average prices. 

AHDB attributes the 8.2% decline in primary lamb volumes to decreased promotional efforts.​

Despite the overall downturn, diced lamb bucked the trend with a 15.7% volume growth, spurred by more shoppers and retail promotions. 

Lamb steaks experienced a marginal 0.2% increase, linked to more frequent purchases.​

Processed lamb products saw a 6% drop in purchase volumes, with burgers and grills leading this decline at 8.1%. 

In contrast, added-value lamb items recorded a 3.1% rise in volumes, driven by an 8.8% increase in sous vide products, which benefited from temporary price reductions and enhanced promotional support.​

Pig Meat Spending Rises Amid Volume Decline

The pig meat sector experienced a 1.2% decrease in purchased volumes, equating to 2,824 tonnes less than the previous year. 

However, consumer spending on pig meat edged up by 0.4% year-on-year, influenced by a 1.6% rise in average prices.​

Among processed pig meat cuts, sausages were the sole category to see volume growth, increasing by 1.8% due to more frequent purchases. 

Overall, processed pig meat volumes contributed to the sector’s decline, with a 2.4% reduction during this period.​

On a positive note, cuts like belly (up 1.5%), mince (up 5.3%), and roasting joints (up 1.1%) experienced volume increases. 

Added-value pig meat products saw an 8.6% rise in purchased volumes, attributed to a 4.8% uptick in sous vide items due to a growing customer base. 

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