Kebabs and pizza help boost takeaway sales

The nation’s love for kebabs and pizza helped takeaway sales of lamb and cheese soar by 80 per cent during lockdown, according to our estimates.

Latest research shows that during quarantine, takeaways of Chinese, Indian and pizza fared the best of all food delivery outlets – leading to lamb volume sales in takeaways rising by a staggering 82 per cent and cheese up 78 per cent.

However, despite takeaways growing by a massive 192 per cent in the 12 weeks to May 17, it was not enough to offset the losses from collections and drive throughs, which typically account for over 80 per cent of products sold.

Research also shows that other sectors fared less well, with the loss of major burger outlets hindering beef and potato performances – with volumes falling 22 per cent and 35 per cent respectively.

Kim Malley, AHDB Retail Insight Manager, said: “The takeaway and delivery market is more important for some AHDB sectors than others, because of the nature of the dishes popular in this channel.

“The volume of lamb used in takeaways rose by 1,300 tonnes with a full 60 per cent used in lamb kebabs. Cheese volumes in takeaways grew by 4,600 tonnes, boosted by pizza chains which remained open during lockdown.”

Overall, the takeaway and delivery market fell by 41 per cent in April, with the data also showing a major shift in how meals were distributed to consumers.

In April, takeaway collections and drive-throughs saw their share collapse from 84 per cent to just 31 per cent as consumers observed strict social-distancing rules and a growth in routes that involve minimal contact.

With major chains now returning to the takeaway and delivery market and eating-out not a possibility until July 4, AHDB estimates suggest this market will peak in June but will maintain double-digit growth until the eating-out market starts to normalise.