The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has published its meat and poultry supermarket price report, observing nearly no change in inflation across the month.
The Association said a combination of hot weather and holidays had contributed to its August 2026 meat and poultry supermarket price report showing a near to no change in position across the month.
Tony Goodger, head of communications at AIMS, commented: “Overall average prices for the AIMS basket of 30 fresh British beef, lamb, pork, and chicken cuts rose by just 0.08% (+£0.01/kg) during the month. Beef mince, both lean and standard fell 1.51% (-£0.16/kg) and 0.61% (-£0.04/kg), respectively, suggesting that supermarkets have used some targeted pricing in this highly important category to keep footfall into stores.
“An increase of £1.08/kg (7.92%) on shanks was a noticeable upward move in lamb but with steaks falling by £0.42/kg (2.07%) chops rising by £0.33/kg (1.74%) and no other price movements, the recent steep month-on-month increases have slowed to just an overall +£0.14/kg (0.79%).
“Pork and chicken continue to be the home of good value within the overall protein category, with the former down £0.11/kg (-1.56%) and the latter almost unchanged during the month.”
Over the 12 months to August 2026, AIMS observed no change when compared to August 2025 for the first time since it started reporting on supermarket prices.
Goodger continued: “With the exception of lamb, which has risen overall by £1.15/kg (+6.9%), beef is down 2.75%, pork 4.66% and chicken 5.78%.
“We have spoken about protein switching over the last six months. The key chicken lines of breast portions and thigh fillets have dropped by 10.2% and 13.94% respectively, suggesting that these are highly popular and versatile cuts for a wide range of eating occasions. It is of note that a significant amount of supermarket advertising both in store and out of store is focused on chicken and ‘Aldi price match’.
“Last year’s record high deadweight prices for cattle have calmed over the last 12 months and is reflected in several key cuts dropping in price. Meanwhile, pork chops (down 15.49%) and loin steaks (down 15.11%) reflect a general malaise across the pig industry, one which no doubt Defra hope that the Agriculture Supply Chain Adjudicator’s ‘The Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025’, which were published in August 2025, would have addressed.”
