Retailers stocking more British bacon and ham, Porkwatch survey shows

The proportion of British bacon and ham on display across the big UK retailers increased during the early part of the summer, according to the latest AHDB Porkwatch survey.

As lockdown began to be eased, the July survey showed the overall proportion of British bacon on the shelves was up to 53%, compared with 46% in July 2019 and 50% in May while the figure for British ham rose from 66% in May to 72% in July.

The proportion of British fresh pork was stable compared with May and a year ago at 79%, while sausage was also steady at 87%.

In terms of individual retailers, findings included:

• Aldi, Budgens, the Co-op, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s all recorded 100% on British fresh pork, with  Waitrose on 99% due to some Iberico product.
• M&S and Waitrose also recorded 100% on bacon and sausage, and 97% and 91% respectively on ham.
• The Co-op recorded 99% for bacon, with some Danepak found in store, 94% for ham, down from 99% in May, and 89% for sausage.
• Aldi posted an impressive 98% for sausage, up from 94% in May.
• Sainsbury’s and Morrisons both showed good support for British overall, with Morrisons increasing its British ham figure from 65% in May to 74% in July.
• Lidl scored well on sausage (94%), but poorly on ham, down from 47% in May to 38% and bacon, down to 36%.
• Tesco’s fresh pork continues to edge down, at 57%, compared with 58% in May and 67% in July 2019, although its bacon rose from 34% in May to 41%.
• Asda, while still behind its main competitors in terms of percentage British, recorded increases in three categories, with bacon up to 38%, a two-year high, ham up to 36% and fresh pork rose to 52%.
• Iceland came out bottom overall, including just 14% for British bacon.

NPA comment

NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said: “It is good to see the proportion of British bacon and ham on display increasing even as lockdown was starting to ease.

“As ever we thank those retailers that continue to support British pork producers and use that as a lever to draw in customers, and urge those lagging behind to do more.”