March 16, 2010

The latest statistics from the UK Agricultural and Horticulture Development Board show a 4% rise in fresh and frozen beef purchases in the 12 weeks to February 21, compared to the same period a year earlier.

The rise comes in response to sales in December, January and February all being up. Expenditure on beef during the period rose 2.6% at GBP385 million (US$583 million), despite average retail prices falling 1%. The figures from Kantar Worldpanel also suggest consumers buying more beef every time they shopped over the period.

UK beef sales have suffered significantly in the recession, and largely been in negative territory, particularly for higher value beef cuts such as steaks and roasts. Since March last year monthly sales have twice recorded 10% dips and mostly been down by 5%, although volumes at 243,600 tonnes show just a fractional fall of 0.9% for the year to February 21.

Kantar Worldpanel said almost all beef cuts recorded an increase in volumes sold in the latest three months. Stewing beef and frying and grilling steaks showed the biggest rises of 12% and 9%, respectively. Cheaper stewing beef has recorded an 11.8% increase in sales in the last 12 weeks, and thought to be the result of the cold weather.

Mince has again delivered a sterling performance, as it has done throughout the recession, with sales up 4.2% on the same period a year ago. It has over the last year accounted for half of all British beef sales.