UK Records Surge in Red Meat and Dairy Sales During Festive Season
Source: The DairyNews
The UK witnessed a record-breaking Christmas week for grocery sales in 2023, with £13.7 billion spent in December, according to Kantar UK.
Meat sales also had a standout performance, with a remarkable 11.6% year-on-year growth in total spend on meat, fish, and poultry (MFP) during the two weeks leading up to Christmas day.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) reported strong performances in volumes for each protein across the red meat category, defying the cost pressures on consumers. Turkey remained the UK's favorite Christmas roasting joint, with 56% of shoppers choosing it. However, total turkey volumes were the only ones in the MFP category to dip below pre-Covid-19 levels.
Despite a higher average price, total beef volumes increased, and total lamb volumes experienced a notable 17.3% year-on-year rise, driven by fresh lamb, particularly roasting joints. Pork was the only red meat to lose shoppers to other proteins, but those who purchased pork bought more, resulting in a 3.7% year-on-year growth in total pork volumes.
In the two weeks leading up to Christmas 2023, shoppers spent over £593 million on total dairy products, with cows' dairy accounting for 94% of total dairy volume sales—a 2% increase from the previous year. Cows' cheese witnessed an almost 4% increase in volume purchased during the Christmas period.
Despite this positive trend, there were indications that shoppers were cutting back on perceived non-essential items such as cheeseboards and convenience products. However, double cream and crème fraiche performed well, and even yoghurt, not typically associated with Christmas, saw a nearly 14% increase in volumes purchased.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) reported strong performances in volumes for each protein across the red meat category, defying the cost pressures on consumers. Turkey remained the UK's favorite Christmas roasting joint, with 56% of shoppers choosing it. However, total turkey volumes were the only ones in the MFP category to dip below pre-Covid-19 levels.
Despite a higher average price, total beef volumes increased, and total lamb volumes experienced a notable 17.3% year-on-year rise, driven by fresh lamb, particularly roasting joints. Pork was the only red meat to lose shoppers to other proteins, but those who purchased pork bought more, resulting in a 3.7% year-on-year growth in total pork volumes.
In the two weeks leading up to Christmas 2023, shoppers spent over £593 million on total dairy products, with cows' dairy accounting for 94% of total dairy volume sales—a 2% increase from the previous year. Cows' cheese witnessed an almost 4% increase in volume purchased during the Christmas period.
Despite this positive trend, there were indications that shoppers were cutting back on perceived non-essential items such as cheeseboards and convenience products. However, double cream and crème fraiche performed well, and even yoghurt, not typically associated with Christmas, saw a nearly 14% increase in volumes purchased.
