Retailer support for British pigmeat is steady, new figures show
7th January 2025
Across 10 retailers surveyed in November, 88% of the pork on display was British.
British pork received steady support from the UK’s largest retailers towards the end of 2024, according to AHDB’s latest Porkwatch survey.
Across the 10 retailers surveyed in November, 88% of the pork on display was British, according to analysis shared by National Pig Association.
This compares to 87% in September and 89% in November 2023.
Aldi, Co-op, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s all recorded 100% British, and Waitrose 96%, including 100% British on its own brand.
Tesco recorded 78% British; Asda 59% – down from 68% a year ago – and Iceland just 1%.
Pork products
A total of 55% of bacon on display was British, slightly up on September and a year ago, with Co-op and M&S on 100% and Waitrose 94%.
At the other end of the scale, Tesco stocked just 36% British, with Asda on 26%, Aldi 21%, Lidl 17% and Iceland 14%.
61% of the ham was British, in line with September but down on November 2023, with M&S (99%), Co-op (95%) and Waitrose (90%) leading the way.
The worst performers were Morrisons, 38%, Asda and Lidl, both on 33%, and Iceland, 13%.
For sausage, overall 78% was British, in line with September and slightly up on a year ago, with M&S (99%), Aldi (98%), Waitrose (97%) and Lidl (90%) the best backers of British.
Again, Iceland was the lowest at 44%, with all remaining retailers stocking at least 69% British.
Retail volumes
Retail pigmeat volumes saw a 2.9% decrease in the 12 weeks to 1st December 2024, equivalent to 6,227 tonnes less than the same period in 2023, according to Kantar data, summarised by AHDB.
This resulted in spend on pigmeat declining by 1.8% year-on-year despite a slight increase in average prices paid (+1.2%).
Pork was the only red meat to decline year-on-year.
Volumes of processed pigmeat drove this overall decline, with volumes purchased 4.6% down year on year over this period.
Burgers and grills were the only processed cut to see volume growth (+0.2%) due to an increase in shoppers and the frequency of their purchase.
However, primary cuts, where British pigmeat is strongest, saw volumes purchased increase 1.1% this period, helped by average prices paid reducing by 0.6% year-on-year.
Total roasting volumes were 5.8% up over the period, driven by increases in leg (8.7%) and loin (20.3%) sales.
Added value volumes purchased increase by 13.1%, driven by sous vide (+12.2%), while increased promotional activity for marinades attracted in new shoppers resulting in a 23.4% increase in volumes purchased.
Read more livestock news.
