Shoppers’ spending on pork was down 5% year-on-year during February to April, according to the latest figures fro Kantar Worldpanel data.
The fall in sales affected both fresh and frozen pork, although fresh fared much better due to maintained levels of promotions compared with a year ago. A small fall in prices also meant that pork was even more competitively priced compared to both beef and lamb.
However, this didn’t translate into increased purchasing, as sales volumes were also down. One reason for this is that a year after the horse meat scandal, a readjustment in the market has meant that ready meal sales have recovered as consumer confidence has returned to this sector.
Spending on sausages increased 6% during the latest period, with growth in both the premium and standard ranges. With premium, the growth was very much price led, as volume sales were down.
While prices were also up for standard sausages, albeit at a slower rate, volume sales grew by 2%, helped by increased promotional activity in each of the four major supermarkets.
The amount of bacon bought during the period was down 4%, led by joints and steaks, as levels of promotions fell back. However, volume sales of bacon continue to perform strongly in the discounters, where they’re up almost 20%.
Shopper spend on ham was up almost 5%, led by increases in volume sales, with the discounters contributing the bulk of the growth.