Red meat retail performance – 7 September 2025

Beef retail performance

Over the past 12 weeks, average prices for total beef products increased +17.1% year-on-year, and while spend was seen to increase by 7.4% during this time, the increase in average prices paid had a negative impact on volumes purchased which declined by 8.3% (10,332 tonnes) (Worldpanel by Numerator UK, 12 w/e 7 September 2025).

Primary beef volumes saw a 10.8% decrease this period, with all cuts in decline. Mince saw the greatest actual decline (-2,694 tonnes), a reduction of 8.8% year-on-year. This was driven by a combination of a reduction in shopper numbers, as well as a reduction in volumes purchased per buyer. Diced saw the smallest actual decline (-158 tonnes), down 7.8% year-on-year. While there was a reduction in frequency of purchase and shopper numbers during the period, there was an increase in volumes purchased per shopping trip which helped mitigate further declines.

Total processed beef saw an 8.0% decline in volume purchased year-on-year. Burgers and grills drove this decline with 1,382 tonnes (-7.9%) fewer being purchased during the period.

Total added-value products also saw volume decrease of 10.4% this period. Despite seeing an increase in frequency of purchase, marinades declined by 17.5% year-on-year.  Sous vide (-4.5%) and ready-to-cook (-18.3%) beef products also saw declines.

We have explored the impact that continued price increases could have on the beef retail market, with recommendations for industry to minimise the impact of retail price inflation. With sustained average price increases evident, we will continue to monitor the impact this is having on beef demand.

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

Lamb retail performance

Lamb retail products saw a 14.7% decrease in volumes purchased (-2,426 tonnes), accompanied by a 12.2% decrease in spend year-on-year (Worldpanel by Numerator UK, 12 w/e 7 September 2025). Average prices paid increased by 2.9%.

Total primary lamb cuts saw a 21.9% volume decrease in volumes purchased during the 12-week period, driven by declines across the majority of cuts. Steaks was an exception to this, with volumes purchased increased by 21.1% year-on-year. This increase was driven by an increase in shoppers, as well as an increase in volumes purchased per shopper.

Processed lamb volumes saw a 3.9% decrease in volumes purchased this period with burgers and grills (-6.8%) driving this decline. While burgers and grills saw an increase in shopper numbers, the volumes purchased per shopper decreased year-on-year which negatively impacted overall demand.

Total added value lamb saw a -2.0% decrease in volumes year-on-year. Despite this, sous vide (+0.9%) saw volume growth due to an increase in volumes purchased per shopping trip, likely due to an average price decrease encouraging additional purchases. However, this was not enough to offset declines in volumes seen by marinades.

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

Pig meat retail performance

Pig meat products saw a 3.2% increase in spend, driven by a 2.0% increase (+4,191 tonnes) in volumes purchased combined with and a 1.2% increase in average prices paid (Worldpanel by Numerator UK, 12 w/e 7 September 2025).

Primary pig meat saw volume increases of +6.3% this period, with increases seen for belly (+5.4%), mince (+23.9%), ribs (+33.7%), shoulder roasting (+8.5%) and steak (+17.9%).  Belly performance was driven by an increase in volumes purchased per buyer, while mince, ribs, shoulder roasting and steaks all saw an increase in shopper numbers and an increase in volumes purchased per shopper boost their year-on-year performance.

Processed pig meat saw a slight volume increase (+0.1%) over the 12-week period. Sausages (+2.2%), sliced cooked meats (+1.8%), and burgers and grills (+6.8%) all saw volume increases which offset declines seen by other processed cuts. Sliced cooked meats benefitted by an increase in volumes per shopper, while sausages saw increased frequency of purchase drive performance. Meanwhile, burgers and grills saw increased buyers and volumes purchased per shopping trip during the period.

Total added value products saw an 12.8% increase in volumes this period, and all added value products saw an increase in shopper numbers during the 12-week period. Marinades (+14.1%) additionally benefitted from an increase in volumes purchased per buyer, while ready to cook (+22.4%) performance was driven by increases in volumes purchased per shopping trip. Sous vide (+9.1%) also saw a slight increase in frequency of purchase, but its performance was mainly driven by the increase in shopper numbers. 

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

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