British beef and lamb sales rise
The latest Taylor Nelson Sofres Superpanel data announced by Bord Bia show consumers spent 5% more on purchases of beef and 8% more on purchases of lamb in the year to the middle of September, during which they purchased slightly more in meat in volume terms.
The data shows that the volume of fresh and frozen beef and lamb purchased was 1% higher than for the previous 12 months. The expenditure was up 5%, reflecting the higher prices paid for beef and lamb during the year.
According to the Taylor Nelson Sofres survey sales of fresh and frozen beef, now represent 47% of beef sales in Britain. The volume of beef burger and grills sold during the year are estimated to represent 24% of total beef purchases, which means that the combined chilled and frozen beef, beef burgers and grills now represent 71% of beef sales.
Beef-based fresh and frozen ready meals and the more high-processed products such as pies and pasties accounted for the balance of 29% of sales. The volume of beef-based chilled ready meals rose by 14% over the year.
Retail sales of fresh and frozen lamb increased by 3% in volume over the year, with consumers spending 8% more on their purchases.
Most noticeable has been the increase in the purchase of leg steaks and chops which were significantly higher than year-earlier levels. Within the fresh and frozen lamb sales, legs of lambs now account for 31% of purchases followed by chops at 19% and shoulder of lamb at 16%.
Sales of fresh and frozen pork dropped by 0.5%, while consumers spent 6% more on their purchases. Bacon sales increased by 3% and the spend was up by 5%.
