Red meat retail performance – 6 September 2026

Over the past 12 weeks, spend increased 1.9%, driven by average price rises of 3.0%, resulting in volume declines of 1.0%.¹

Primary beef volumes saw a 2.6% decrease. Mince saw the greatest actual decline (-1,300 tonnes), a volume reduction of 4.7% year-on-year. This was driven by a decrease in buyers and a reduction in volumes per buyer, as mince saw a 2.9% average price increase. Roasting joints were the second biggest drainer at -10.3%.

In contrast, beef steaks (+7.7%) were in volume growth. This performance is likely helped by the warmer weather experienced this, Summer. Volumes sold on promotion also increased during this period.

Linked to this total processed beef saw a 7.2% increase in volume purchased year-on-year. Burgers and grills drove this growth with +1,500 tonnes (+9.5%) driven by an increase in number of buyers and frequency of purchase.

Total added-value products saw a volume increase of 2.6% this period. This was driven primarily by marinades (+6.8%), but sous vide (+0.8%) was also in slight growth.

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

Lamb retail products saw a 9.2% decrease in volumes purchased, accompanied by a 1.5% decrease in spend year-on-year. Average prices paid increased by 8.5%.¹

Total primary lamb cuts saw a 13.1% volume decrease during the 12-week period. Lamb leg roasting saw the largest decrease of 28.0% (-500 tonnes) driven by a decrease in buyers.

Processed lamb saw a 13.5% decrease in volumes year-on-year, this decline was driven by a reduction in number of buyers.

Total added value lamb saw a 7.9% decrease in volumes year-on-year, this is due to a reduction in buyers.

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

Pig meat products saw a 1.4% decrease in volumes purchased, a 0.6% decrease in spend and a 0.8% increase in average prices paid.¹

Primary pig meat only saw slight volume decreases of 0.2% this period. Steak saw the greatest actual decline (-442 tonnes), a volume reduction of 6.5% year-on-year. This was driven by a decrease in buyers. Mince saw volume increases of 24.8%, due to a 4.2% decline in average prices paid. Pig belly also grew by 13%.

Processed pig meat saw a decrease of 3.1% over the 12-week period. Bacon rashers saw the largest decrease of 5.9% (-1,629 tonnes) driven by a decrease in number of buyers and frequency of purchase. Despite potentially more BBQs this Summer sausages saw volume declines of 3.6%.

Total added value products saw a 6.1% increase in volumes this period. This was driven by sous vide which saw a 17.2% increase in volumes purchased, as a result of an increased number of buyers and volumes purchased per trip. Marinades also saw volume increases of 3.7%, driven by an increase in volumes purchased per trip.

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

1 Worldpanel by Numerator UK, 12 w/e 6 September 2026

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