November 4, 2011
Britain's beef volume sales down
Despite constant consumer beef expenditure, the British beef volume sales decrease 5% in September.
According to the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) for Northern Ireland, while beef and lamb sales have been under pressure, pork sales held up. Although average retail pork prices were 8% higher in September, volume sales were unchanged, and total retail expenditure on pork increased by 8%.
With beef prices up 6%, penetration (the proportion of consumers buying beef) was down 4%. The average amount they bought was down 2%. Compared to 12 months ago, sales of roasting beef joint sales were down 19% in September, frying and grilling cuts were down 8%, stewing cuts were up 2%.
About 40% of Irish beef production goes to the British market.