Processed Meals Give Way to Fresh Beef and Lamb
UK – A rising consumer appetite for fresh beef and lamb has resulted in volume sales of some processed products almost halving, according to latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel.Lamb volume sales and beef sales were up 26 per cent and 10 per cent respectively for the four week period up to April 14.
Beef sales were broken down into increases seen in roasting joint, up seven per cent, steaks, up five per cent and stewing steak which rocketed 25 per cent.
Contrastingly, products directly implicated in the horsemeat scandal have dipped with chilled ready meals falling 18 per cent and beefburger sales falling 43 per cent.
Nick Allen, sector director for EBLEX, said that cuts used as ingredients for homemade meals have been doing well following a number of months of decline.
“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.”
TheCattleSite News Desk