Demand for red meat dwindles

Written by Iain Hoey

Despite higher retail sales, overall demand for red meat is now lower than it was before the coronavirus lockdown, according to AHDB analyst Duncan Wyatt.

Beef, sheep meat and pig meat have each performed slightly differently, with pig meat sales in particular holding up relatively well, however the stock-piling induced demand which soared in the initial weeks of lockdown in response to the widespread closure of eating out establishments has dropped.

The up to date weekly data shows that more recently, demand for red meat that was eaten out of the home, has only partially been replaced by higher retail sales.

“We have assumed a complete closure of the eating out market (not including take-aways and deliveries), which covers around 80% of the foodservice sector,” Mr Wyatt commentes.

“Many office canteens, schools and other institutions are also closed, not included in our eating out volumes, but before the lockdown accounting for around 12% of foodservice demand. As such, demand overall is likely to be even lower than this analysis indicates, albeit slightly.”

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[ImLost]

I find that difficult to believe. I have had locals/colleagues/family begging me to sell them anything I have in the freezer. I even had one colleague at work say he wanted a whole cow, he didnt care what price he had to pay, just let him know when its ready! They have all said they can't get enough red meat in the supermarkets at the moment. People still have to eat, whether its at school, work, home or a restaurant.

 

[Muddyroads]

How do they measure this? Local meat suppliers locally (including ourselves) are selling much more than normal. Just because supermarkets might be selling less doesn’t mean people are buying less or that demand has dropped.
Well done AHDB!

 

[Cropper]

Why the heck don’t AHDB get off their arse and spend some of our money on an advertising campaign while everyone is stuck at home, home baking has taken off - why not roast beef/lamb/pork, treat yourself to a steak, and make sure it’s British!

 

[ImLost]

It's funny isnt it, the other post by the OP is about the sudden jump in veg box sales, almost like there is some hidden agenda ("stop producing meat, grow veg instead!!")

 

[hally]

Why the heck don’t AHDB get off their arse and spend some of our money on an advertising campaign while everyone is stuck at home, home baking has taken off - why not roast beef/lamb/pork, treat yourself to a steak, and make sure it’s British!

It’s about time those buggers were furloughed........permanently

 

[Wellytrack]

Find this difficult to believe tbh.

Just wait til Micky D’s reopens. They will be queued for miles.