Pressure on UK meat cuts
The UK is Ireland’s main export market, and GIRA experts say the meat sector is challenged by declining retail meat volume, and rising livestock prices.
The classic roast dinner, a great British tradition, appears to be on the wane, mainly due to time constraints, and consumers are searching for greater convenience.
Meanwhile, pressure on household disposable income tends to reduce consumption of beef muscle cuts, along with health concerns, and consumer sensitivity to meat safety.
Retail primary meat sales could suffer the consequences, due to increasing competition from more convenient value-added meats.
The economic downturn of 2008 left consumers much more price conscious, which helped the hard discounters to increase market share at the expense of the established retail chains.
A consumer shift towards convenience and neighbourhood stores has also hit the hypermarkets.
They are also under pressure from increasing consumer demands for quick-to-cook solutions, ethical supply chains, better animal welfare, and lower prices.
Consumers have also reinforced their preference for domestic product since the horsemeat scandal, which constrains retailers’ use of imported meat.
The accompanying strong reliance on quality assurance schemes and product origin have added to retailers’ burdens.
