The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has published its inflation report for July, finding sales of pork loin steaks were down year-on-year due to EU pork imports.
The AIMS inflation report reviewed supermarket prices across the beef, lamb, pork and chicken categories, with beef, lamb and pork prices continuing to move down over the month by an average of 0.16% (June 0.41%).
Tony Goodger, head of communications at AIMS, commented: “Beef, which in June fell by 2.26%, has by and large stabilised, with a marginal fall of just 0.15%, with increases in both lean (+0.47%) and standard (+0.46%) mince long with rump steak (+0.39%) offsetting the cuts where prices have continued to fall.
“When put alongside chicken, where overall prices increased +0.64%, it is likely that the combination of England’s progress in the World Cup and the hot weather has driven the demand for beef and chicken for the BBQ and summer salads. And whilst many consumers will be enjoying the weather, its consequences are likely to be felt in increased prices across all four reported categories due to higher input costs later in the year and on into 2027. Definitely an area which we will be keeping a close eye on.
AIMS reported that year-on-year lamb, which was up 5.53% (£0.91kg), was continuing to present an overall annual inflation figure, albeit very small, of +0.08%.
Looking at year-on-year data over the last three months, Goodger pointed out that AIMS could see a “nuanced picture” of price rises being offset by price falls.
Goodger continued: “Beef, for example, which has fallen by 2.41% (£0.48kg), is almost entirely down to a drop in the average price of sirloin steak of £3.75 (12.34%) whilst popular cuts such as roasting joints (+7.65%), lean mince (+4.33%) and diced (+4.04%) have continued to rise.
“Pork is, for market commentators such as AIMS, really one of the most fascinating meats to monitor.
“Reports of switching by consumers away from higher priced beef and lamb cuts into pork shouldn’t be ignored, however pork loin steaks, which would be considered a natural replacement for beef and lamb steaks, continue to fall in price down 3.21% (£0.26kg) on the month and a huge 17.84% (£1.70) year-on-year. This may be being driven by imports of lower priced pork from the EU or the even lower price per kg of chicken, which nudged up by 0.64% over the month.
“However, the appearance of boneless pork shoulder across many social media posts being cooked low and slow on the BBQ before being served pulled has, I believe, moved barbecue enthusiasts away from pork chops and loin steaks. Year-on-year, pork shoulder has risen by 0.2%.
“Diced British chicken breast, like beef mince, is now being offered in a wider range of pack sizes covering 300g, 500g, 750g, 1kg, 1.5kg and 2kg, all of which is providing consumers with more choice at the fixture. However, given that other input costs such as packaging, labelling, cost of production etc are the same whatever the pack size, this has, in my view, contributed to the monthly increase of 3.07% (+0.27kg) and year-on-year 8.82% (+£0.74kg).
“The next few months will be fascinating. With a combination of summer holidays, anticipated nice weather, back to school and work and then the long drag to Christmas, supermarkets will be desperate to maintain footfall and, as ever, with meat and poultry representing a large part of the overall cost of the weekly shop, I expect there will be some fierce price competition and more aggressive promotion of bundle deals, such as the Morrisons 1.8kg British Meat Pack at £9.97 (£5.54kg), Asda 3 for £10 and £3 for £12, Tesco £3 for £10 (Clubcard) etc.”
