UK primary pork sales are continuing to decline, year-on-year, according to the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel, covering the 12 weeks ending January 29.
On the positive front, however, processed pork products showed a year-on-year growth in sales during the same quarter.
“The volume of fresh/frozen pork purchased during the period was 3% down compared with a year earlier, despite average prices being back almost 1%,” said AHDB Pork in an analysis of the Kantar figures. “Within this, marinades saw a particularly sharp drop in sales of 29%, whilst shoulder and loin roasting joints also saw double digit declines.
“The picture was more positive for added value pork products, however, which saw an increase in spending across the board.
“Prices of pork sausages and sliced cooked meats were below year earlier levels, but this was more than compensated by increased sales volumes. Conversely, a 7% rise in the price of pork pies countered a small decrease in sales.
“Sausage rolls saw an increase in prices as well as sales volumes. Meanwhile, although volumes of bacon sold were 4% higher than year earlier levels, falling prices meat that the value of sales was actually slightly back on the year.”