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Retail pork sales continuing worrying downward trend

24th Jan 2020 / By Alistair Driver

GB retail pigmeat sales continued to decline in the last three months of 2019, with primary fresh and frozen pork and bacon seeing big reductions. 

In the 12-weeks to December 29, including the key Christmas period, total GB pig meat sales fell by 4.5% in volume, compared to the same period in 2018, although total spend remained stable with average prices were up 4.5%, the latest retail figures from Kantar show.

GB pork sales Dec 19

Primary fresh/frozen pork recorded particularly significant reductions in both volume (-8%) and value (-7%), with losses driven by roasting joints and chops/steaks.

Although prices for primary pork moved above year-earlier levels during this period (+1%), prices have been increasing much more strongly throughout the supply chain. The SPP was 16% up on year-earlier levels by the end of 2019, and in November, primary pork import prices were 30% higher year-on-year, AHDB said.

Bacon sales continued to slide, down by 6% year-on-year, although prices have recorded a strong 8% rise. There has been some growth in bacon from premium and healthy ranges but the standard tier has suffered.

Total lamb sales slipped by 4% in volume compared to the same period last year, although prices were 2% higher. 

Total beef sales were quite stable in volume terms, falling by less than 1% year-on-year. Unlike for the other categories, average prices were lower, and so spend declined by 2%.