GB retail sales of fresh and frozen pork remained reasonably steady compared with the same period a year earlier, during the 12 weeks ending January 27.
Figures from Kantar Worldpanel revealed that the value of the market declined by 2% due to a decrease in average shelf price. There was some change in the product mix, with shoulder roasting joints performing well, while sales of leg roasting joints and bellies declined.
Rebecca Oborne, an analyst at AHDB Pork, said processed products recorded a decline across the period.
Bacon sales, in particular, she said, slipped 5% in volume and almost 8% in value, largely due to a reduction in the number of shopping trips including bacon.
Ms Oborne said: “Sausage sales remained stable in volume but the value did fall 3%. Altogether, this meant total pig meat sales declined 2% during the period, in both volume and value terms.
“Despite extensive press coverage around plant-based diets, pork sales volumes haven’t taken a significant dent compared to last year. Although looking at the four-week period to January 27, specifically, when “Veganuary” was running, pig meat. sales volumes were down 3%, which is a little ahead of the decline over the 12-week period.
‘However, the current downward trends are perhaps as much related to the current uncertain climate, causing shoppers to be more conscious of their spending.”
