Consumer appetite for fresh beef and lamb increases
Consumer appetite for fresh beef and lamb increases
Consumers are increasingly buying fresh beef and lamb to cook with rather than ready meals, according to latest figures.
In the four weeks to April 14th, Kantar Worldpanel figures showed volume sales of fresh lamb were up 26.3% and fresh beef up 10% compared to the same period last year. Within the beef category, mince showed a 10% increase, first quality roasting joints up 7%, steaks 5% and stewing a rise of 25%.
In contrast, products directly implicated in the horsemeat scandal have continued to dip with beefburger sales down 43% and chilled ready meals falling 18% in the same period.
Nick Allen, sector director for EBLEX, said: “Cuts used as ingredients for homemade meals have been doing well following a number of months of decline.
“It indicates that consumers are cooking more meals from scratch, rather than buying ready meals, which is very encouraging for the beef and lamb sector.
“While the horsemeat scandal has rocked the industry, if consumers are buying quality assured fresh beef, they have reassurance on provenance and traceability. The lasting legacy may also be that people continue to prepare more meals from scratch, rather than purchasing ready meals.”
