UK red meat retail performance in January 2026
Primary beef volumes saw a 7.3% decline. Mince saw the greatest actual decline (-3.4 thousand tonnes), a volume reduction of 9.9% year-on-year. This was driven by a reduction in shopper numbers, due to the 33.5% average price increase. Beef roasting joints and stewing beef were in growth this period driven by a positive Christmas.
Total processed beef saw a 4.8% decline in volume purchased year-on-year. Sliced cooked meats drove this decline with volumes down 324 tonnes (-5.6%) while burgers and grills declined 3.4%.
Total added-value products also saw volume decrease of 6.7% this period with ready-to-cook, added value and sous vide products all in decline.
Lamb retail performance
Lamb retail products saw a 1.5% increase in volumes purchased (+313 tonnes), accompanied by a 4.3% increase in average prices year-on-year leading to a 5.8% increase in spend1. With lamb’s strong performance at Christmas still influencing the volumes this period.
Total primary lamb cuts saw an 4.9% volume increase during the 12-week period. Lamb roasting saw the largest increase of 8.0% (+762 tonnes) driven by an increase in shoppers. Diced, breast, mince and steaks also in growth some of which is due to the narrowing price gap with beef.
Processed lamb saw a 10.3% decline in volumes year-on-year, driven by burgers and grills which had a decrease in buyers.
Total added value lamb returned to growth this period with volumes up 1.3% year-on-year. This was driven by sous vide products (+4.3%) which saw an increase in volume bought per shopper.
Pig meat retail performance
Pig meat products saw a 0.2% increase in volumes purchased (386 tonnes) and with prices increasing by 1.7% in the last year, overall spend was up 1.9%1. This performance was helped by increased demand for pork at Christmas.
Processed pig meat fell in to decline this period with volumes down 1.0%. This was driven by bacon rashers (-4.6%) which saw volumes decline by 1.5 thousand tonnes and sausages where volumes fell 1.9%. While gammon was still in growth due to strong Christmas performance.
Primary pig meat saw volume increases of 2.8% this period. Mince saw the largest volume increase of 47.6% (1.7 thousand tonnes). Pork mince prices fell by 1.4% to £5.14/kg which boosted shopper numbers likely due to the widening price gap between beef mince (£9.53/kg). Fillet, medallions, ribs and roasting joints also saw volume increases this period.
Total added value products saw a 9.1% increase in volumes in the last 12 weeks due to strong sous vide performance (+21.5%).
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