Red meat retail performance - 29 December 2024

Beef retail performance

Spend on beef products increased by 4.4% year-on-year, due to a combination of a slight volume increase (+0.1%) as well as an increase in average prices paid (+4.3%) (Kantar, 12 w/e 29 December 2024).

Total primary beef volumes saw a slight decrease this period (0.2%). Despite this, mince saw a 1.5% increase in volumes purchased (+503 tonnes), due to an increase in frequency of purchase and an increase in shopper numbers. Diced beef also saw volume growth this period (+5.1%) due to an increase in volumes purchased per buyer.

Processed beef saw a 2.0% increase in volumes purchased year-on-year. Burgers and grills saw a 2.0% increase in volumes purchased due to an increase in frequency of purchase combined with an increase in shopper numbers. Sliced cooked meats also saw a slight volume increase this period (+0.1%). This was due to increased volumes purchased per buyer, likely due to a slight increase in volumes purchased on promotion.

Total added-value products all saw a 17.2% increase in volumes purchased this period, driven by sous vide (+18.7%) and marinades (22.1%) performance. Both sous vide and marinades benefitted from an increase in buyers and the volumes they purchased per shopping trip this period, likely due to new or renewed ranges in some retailers.

See the full data and these insights visualised on our GB household beef purchases retail dashboard. 

Lamb retail performance

Lamb saw a 2.0% decrease in volumes purchased in the 12 w/e 29 December 2024; the first decline for the lamb category in 2024. Spend saw a 3.3% increase during the period, due to a 5.4% increase in average prices paid (Kantar, 12 w/e 29 December 2024).

Primary lamb saw a 6.1% decrease in volumes purchased this period. A reduction in promotional support will have impacted volumes purchased, particularly for roasting joints, as Christmas fell within this period. Diced was the only primary cut to see volume growth this period (12.1%), due to an increase in volumes purchased per buyer and an increase in shopper numbers.

Processed lamb saw a 7.7% decline in volumes purchased in the 12 w/e 29 December 2024, with burgers and grills driving the decline (-9.4%) mainly due to a reduced frequency of purchase despite and increase in shopper numbers.

For added-value products, sous vide (+12.5%) and marinades (+12.3%) saw volumes purchased increase with both benefitting from an increase in buyers likely due to new or renewed ranges in some retailers.

See the full data and these insights visualised on our GB household lamb purchases retail dashboard. 

Pig meat retail performance

Pig meat saw a 2.0% decrease in volumes purchased, equivalent to 4613 tonnes less than the same period last year (Kantar, 12 w/e 29 December 2024). This resulted in spend on pig meat declining by 0.9% year-on-year despite a slight increase in average prices paid (+1.1%).

Volumes of processed pig meat drove this overall decline in pig meat performance, with a 4.0% decrease in volumes purchased in this period. Burgers and grills were the only processed cut to see volume growth (+0.6%) due to an increase in shopper numbers.

Primary cuts saw volumes purchased decrease 0.6% this period. Despite this, diced, mince and roasting all saw year on year volume increases. Diced saw a 0.9% increase in volumes purchased. Mince saw a 5.8% growth, due to an increase in frequency and volumes purchased per shopper which drove performance. An increase in promotional purchases during this period will have also helped to boost volume sales.

Total roasting saw a 1.9% increase in volumes purchased, due to leg (7.6%) and loin (8.3%) performance. All roasting saw average prices decrease, and with Christmas falling during this period, an increase in promotional activity was seen to improve performance.

Added value also saw overall volume purchased increase (+15.2%). This was due to sous vide (+7.8%) seeing increased volumes purchased per buyer and increase in shopper numbers, while increased promotional activity for marinades attracted in new shoppers resulting in a 35.1% increase in volumes purchased. Ready-to-cook (+12.5%) benefitted from increased frequency of purchase and volumes purchased per shopping trip.

See the full data and these insights visualised on our GB household pork purchases retail dashboard. 

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