UK supermarket shoppers spent 8.8% more on buying beef in the 12 weeks ending 22 March compared with the same period last year, according to Worldpanel by Numerator UK data, published by AHDB. However, because average retail beef prices increased by 16.4%, it meant that even though they spent more money, UK consumers had 6.5% less beef in their shopping basket.
AHDB analysis highlights that the biggest decline was for primary cuts of beef with mince sales showing the greatest decline of all.
During the period, 2,988 tonnes less mince was bought in UK retail outlets, a year on year decline of 8.2%. This is because there was fewer buyers of mince and those that did buy spent less as the average price increased by a significant 27.3% compared with the same 12 week period in 2025 to an average £9.47/kg (€10.88/kg).
Prices for all cuts of beef increased, though not as significantly as mince and sales volumes declined though again by varying degrees depending on the cut.
The spend on steaks increased by 7.2%, but this bought 7.9% less steak meat as the average price increased by 16.5% to £21.98/kg (€25.26). For roast beef, spend increased by 4.8% but this bought 11.4% less beef as the price increased by 18.3% to an average £13.34/kg (€15.33/kg).
It was a similar trend with lamb retail sales during this period. Shoppers spent an average 9.2% more buying lamb but got 1.7% less product for their money. This is because the average price increased by 11% compared with the same 12-week period in 2025 according to the data.
Sales of lamb leg roasts went against the trend and volume sales increased by 4.9% year on year despite their cost increasing by 20.8% to an average retail price of £14.60/kg (€16.78/kg).
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