Red meat retail performance - 2 November 2025

Friday, 14 November 2025

Beef retail performance

Over the past 12 weeks, spend was seen to increase by 10.0%, driven by an 18.8% increase in average price, as volumes purchased declined by 7.4% (9,670 tonnes) (Worldpanel by Numerator UK, 12 w/e 2 November 2025).

Primary beef volumes saw a -11.4% decrease this period, with all primary cuts in decline. Mince saw the greatest actual decline (-3,671 tonnes), a reduction of 10.7% year-on-year. This was driven by a combination of a reduction in shopper numbers, as well as a reduction in volumes purchased per buyer, likely due to shoppers noticing the 37.1% increase in average price, the greatest increase of the beef category. Stewing saw the smallest actual decline (-48 tonnes), down 2.8% year-on-year due to a reduction in shopper numbers.

Total processed beef saw an 8.2% decline in volume purchased year-on-year. Burgers and grills drove this decline with 778 tonnes (-6.2%) less being purchased during the period.

Total added-value products also saw a volume decrease of -1.2% this period. However, this was due to marinade performance, as sous vide and ready to cook beef products saw volume growth this period. Sous vide saw a 7.6% increase (213 tonnes) in volumes purchased, driven by an increase in shoppers during the period, as well as an increase in frequency of purchase. Ready to cook saw an 8.4% (33 tonnes) increase, also due to an increase of shopper numbers. Of the total beef category, sous vide saw the smallest average price increase year-on-year and was one of the only offerings to see an increase in promotional activity. This may have positioned sous vide as a comparatively better value option in the eye of the consumer and helped boost demand.

We have explored the impact that continued price increases could have on the beef retail market, with recommendations for industry to minimise the impact of retail price inflation. With sustained average price increases evident, we will continue to monitor the impact this is having on beef demand.

See the full data and these insights visualised on our GB household beef purchases retail dashboard.

Lamb retail performance

Lamb retail products saw a -9.4% decrease in volumes purchased (-1,704 tonnes), accompanied by a -6.2% decrease in spend year-on-year (Worldpanel by Numerator UK, 12 w/e 2 November 2025). Average prices paid increased by 3.5%.

Total primary lamb cuts saw a -13.4% volume decrease during the 12-week period, driven by declines across the majority of cuts. Steaks was an exception to this, as volumes purchased increased by 29.2% year-on-year. This increase was driven by an increase in shoppers, as well as an increase in volumes purchased per shopper.

Processed lamb volumes saw a 19.0% increase in volumes purchased this period, with burgers and grills driving this performance. Burgers and grills saw an additional 17% (+148 tonnes), due to an increase in shopper numbers and volumes purchased per shopping trip.

Total added value lamb saw a -5.1% decrease in volumes year-on-year, and despite increases in volumes purchased per shopping trip, both marinades (-8.5%) and sous vide (-4.6%) saw volume declines.

See the full data and these insights visualised on our GB household lamb purchases retail dashboard. 

Pig meat retail performance

Pig meat products saw a 3.8% increase in spend, driven by a 2.4% increase (+4,861 tonnes) in volumes purchased and a 1.4% increase in average prices paid (Worldpanel by Numerator UK, 12 w/e 2 November 2025).

Primary pig meat saw volume increases of +5.1% this period, with increases seen for belly (+1.3%), fillet (+10.6%), mince (+36.6%), ribs (+19.8%), roasting (+1.1%) and steak (+6.4%).  Belly performance was driven by an increase in frequency of purchase; while roasting and steak performance was driven by an increase in volumes purchased per shopper during the period. Mince, fillet, and ribs all saw an increase in shopper numbers and an increase in volumes purchased per shopper boost their year-on-year performance.

Processed pig meat saw a 2.1% volume increase over the 12-week period. Sausages (+4.7%), sliced cooked meats (+0.9%), gammon (+1.4%) and burgers and grills (+5.7%) all saw volume increases which offset declines seen by other processed cuts. Sausages benefitted from an increase in frequency of purchase as well as an increase in shopper numbers, while sliced cooked meats performance was driven by an increase in volumes purchased per shopping trip. Gammon and burgers and grills performance was due primarily to an increase in shopper numbers.

Total added value products saw an 11.2% increase in volumes this period, and all added value products saw an increase in shopper numbers during the 12-week period. Sous vide (+16.0%) also saw an increase in frequency of purchase, while ready to cook (+8.0%) and marinades (+5.7%) performance was additionally driven by increases in volumes purchased per shopping trip.

See the full data and these insights visualised on our GB household pork purchases retail dashboard.

 

Image of staff member Charlotte Forkes-Rees

Charlotte Forkes-Rees

Retail and Consumer Insight Analyst

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