February 3, 2012

UK beef and lamb consumption declines

A combination of rising retail prices, tighter supplies and consumers' trend for cheaper protein product had resulted in plunging household purchases of beef and lamb in the UK last year.

For 2011, UK lamb purchases and expenditure decreased year-on-year, back 20% and 7% respectively, with increased exports and lower imports reducing the availability of lamb on the domestic market. Contributed by the tighter availability and high retail prices, in comparison to pork and chicken, consumers also moved towards cheaper protein alternatives.

However, while household purchases of beef declined in 2011, total expenditure increased 1% - the result of a 4% average increase in price. Roasting cuts and steaks registered the largest reduction in purchases, as consumers switched to cheaper proteins. In the first half of 2011, stewing beef and mince performed strongly, with both products cheaper and key ingredients for component cooking. However, in the last quarter of 2011, purchases reduced year-on-year. Additionally, increased UK beef exports in the last three months of the year reduced available supplies for the domestic market, pushing up the price of fresh beef.