British pork gets a boost from retailers

The first Porkwatch survey since the start of lockdown has shown a general increase in the proportion of British pork products on retailers’ shelves.

AHDB’s survey in May of the biggest UK retailers showed 79 per cent of fresh pork on display was British, compared to 78 per cent in January.

The proportion of British bacon on display rose from 43 per cent to 50 per cent, just above May last year. British sausages increased to 88 per cent, from 86 per cent last year. Overall, the proportion of ham rose from 62 per cent in January to 66 per cent in May.

According to Kantar data, in the three months up to 7^th May, total pig meat sales rose by 14 per cent in volume and 22 per cent in value, with the largest overall growth seen in bacon and sausages.

Aldi, Budgens, Co-op, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s recorded 100 per cent on fresh pork, while Waitrose recorded 99 per cent.

Asda lagged behind its competitors in the survey, National Pig Association commented, but recorded notable increased in May on bacon, up from 24 per cent in January to 35 per cent in May. Also, ham was up to 30 per cent from 22 per cent in January, and British sausage facings were also up.

Aldi recorded 100 per cent on fresh British pork, 94 per cent on sausage, 84 per cent on ham and 51 per cent on bacon. Tesco, however shows a continuous downward trend for British fresh pork on display – from 72 per cent in May last year to 58 per cent this year. Iceland had the lowest proportion of displayed British products, with 35 per cent of its fresh pork and 11 per cent of its bacon being British.

Zoe Davies, chief executive of the National Pig Association, said the figures show how the UK pork sector has been able to respond to the overnight shift in demand patterns due to Covid-19.

“As ever, we thank those retailers who continue to source 100% fresh pork and Aldi deserve special mention for their consistent support for British pork.”