Retail pigmeat purchases declined by 3.2% year on year, equivalent to 6,650 tonnes, in the 12 weeks to November 3, Kantar data shows.
As a result, retail spend on pigmeat was down by 2% year-on-year over the period, despite a 1.2% increase in average prices paid.
Volume sales of processed pigmeat declined by 5.3% over the 12 weeks, driving the overall decline, with sliced cooked meats down 7.7%, equivalent to 2,912t, according to Charlotte Forkes-Rees, AHDB retail and consumer insight analyst.
Sales of primary cuts declined by 0.8%, despite average prices seeing only a slight increase year-on-year (+0.2%). But total roasting sales saw a 5.3% increase in volumes purchased, due to gains in sales of shoulder (6.1%) and loin (22.9%). All roasting saw average prices decrease in this period, and promotional activity was seen to improve performance most notably for loin, Ms Forkes-Rees added.
Pork ribs also saw growth (+11.7%) due to a combination of increased shopper numbers and volumes purchased per shopping trip.
Added value was the only category of pigmeat to see overall volume increases (+13.8%), due to sous vide (+13.3%), marinades (+15.5%) and ready to cook (+11.3%) attracting in new shoppers due to promotional activity.
Pork was the only red meat to decline year-on-year. Spend on beef increased by 2.5% year-on-year over the period, due to a 2.5% increase in average price increase, as volumes purchased remained flat.
Lamb volume sales were up a 6.8%, which, combined with a 5.8% in average prices paid, resulted in a 12.9% increase in retail spend on lamb products this period.