British shoppers spend 1.6% more on beef despite buying less
A fall in volume of beef sold in British retail outlets over the past three months was offset by in increase in prices, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
According to Charlotte Forkes-Rees, retail and consumer insight analyst at AHDB, over the 12 weeks to October 4, shoppers spent 1.6% more on beef than the same period a year ago.
“This was due to prices being 2.0% higher, as volumes purchased reduced by 0.4%."
In the 12 weeks to October 4, red meat retail volumes declined -1.9% overall, year-on-year.
The AHDB report said “Lamb remained under pressure, while processed and added-value beef, alongside primary pork and added-value pig meat, delivered volume growth.”
Beef retail performance
Sales of primary beef cuts were almost unchanged, down just 0.1% compared with last year, according to the report.
“Strong growth in steak sales (+7.9%) helped balance out declines in other cuts," Forkes-Rees said.
Sales of nearly all steak cuts grew, with sirloin "performing particularly well (+21.0%), attracting new shoppers alongside larger and more frequent purchases".
Demand was also boosted by an increase in promotional activity, she said.
Forkes-Rees added: “Processed beef continued to grow, with volumes up 4.5%.
“Burgers (+10.2%) and sausages (+12.5%) were the main drivers of growth, attracting more shoppers during the period.
“Good weather and increased promotions are likely to have supported demand.”
She added that added-value beef products saw volume growth of 2.9%.
“Marinades performed especially well, with volumes up 14.8%, more than making up for declines in ready-to-cook and sous vide products," the AHDB analyst said.
Lamb
Meanwhile, UK spend on lamb fell by 3.9% compared with last year.
“Higher prices, up 8.0%, likely made lamb seem less affordable and helped drive an 11.0% reduction in the volumes bought," Forkes-Rees said.
Sales of primary lamb cuts fell by 14.0% over the 12-week period, though not all cuts were in decline.
She added that lamb mince volumes grew by 3.1% and stewing lamb increased by 18.2%.
According to Forkes-Rees, shoppers bought these products more often and in larger amounts.
She said: “For lamb mince, stronger promotional activity also helped increase demand."
Processed lamb volumes fell by 12.3% compared with last year.
“Fewer shoppers bought processed lamb, and those who did bought it less often.”
For added-value lamb volumes, she reported a decline of 10.0%.
Forkes-Rees said: “Although shoppers bought more sous vide lamb each time they purchased it, fewer people bought marinated and sous vide products.
“This led to a reduction in total volumes sold.”
Pig meat
Pig meat volumes reduced by 2.1% over the 12-week period, even though average prices rose by just 1.0%, the smallest increase across meat, fish and poultry.
As a result, spend on pig meat was down 1.1% compared with last year.
Despite the overall decline, primary pork volumes grew by 1.1%.
Belly (+10.7%), diced (+83.5%), mince (+13.6%), and steak (+2.8%) all saw increased demand.
Forkes-Reese added: “More shoppers buying these cuts helped drive volume growth, attracted by lower prices and stronger promotions.
“However, for mince, growth came from full-price purchases rather than promotions.”
Processed pig meat volumes declined by 4.4% over the 12 weeks to October 4, according to the AHDB report.
Forkes-Rees said: “Bacon rashers (-8.1%) and sausages (-5.3%) were the main reasons for the decline, as fewer shoppers bought these products and those who did bought less each trip.
“Although bacon prices reduced, this was not enough to increase demand, suggesting other factors, such as concerns about health and processed foods, may be affecting shopper choices.”
However, not all processed pig meat products were in decline.
Total gammon volumes grew, driven by small price increases and stronger promotions, especially ‘Y for £X’ offers, which encouraged shoppers to buy more each trip.
Added-value pig meat volumes increased by 7.3% during the period.
Growth was driven by sous vide (+11.3%) and marinated products (+8.4%).
According to Forkes-Reese, both attracted more shoppers, who also bought larger amounts each trip.
She added that increased promotions, particularly multibuy offers, and the inclusion of sous vide products in meal deals “likely helped boost demand”.
Irish meat exports
Beef is Ireland's leading agri-food export to the UK, increasing by 19% year-on-year to €1.7 billion in 2025.
Sheepmeat exports to the UK in 2025 were valued at €30 million, 9% of all Irish sheepmeat exports.
The value of Irish pigmeat exports to the UK increased by 8% to an estimated €165 million through-out 2025, with Britain accounting for an estimated €105 million and Northern Ireland €60 million, according to data from Bord Bia.
