Lamb retail sales remain healthy

Value of the sales in the 12 weeks to December 6 was up seven per cent compared to the same period last year. Leg roasting joints were the star performer, with the number of households buying that particular cut increasing 12 per cent to just over one in 10.

Lamb mince also performed well, up five per cent in spend over the 12-week period, compared to last year, while chops were also up in value.

The growth in volume sales was mainly driven by consumers purchasing the product more frequently, though the amount purchased per shop was also up.

“These figures for lamb retails sales are a really positive way to end what has been a difficult year for many sheep meat producers,” said Laura Ryan, AHDB Sector Strategy Director for Beef and Lamb.

“All of the major retailers, except one, have seen an increase in lamb volume sales over the 12-week period. I think this is a really positive place for us to be and something we can build on in 2016. It is also great to see penetration growing, with more homes overall buying lamb.

“Our work will continue to ensure lamb remains an important part of a modern diet and we have a programme of activity throughout the next year to help support the product that our producers and processors put in front of consumers.”

This year’s lamb TV campaign ran for four of the 12 weeks in question.

Beef Sales over the same 12-week period were down very slightly – one per cent in both value and volume. However, beef mince and frying/grilling cuts were both up.”