The latest data from Kantar for the 12 weeks ending 21 March show a retail grocery sales growth of 8.4% on the same period last year.

Total grocery sales for the four weeks of March 2021 are down 5.5% on the dramatic sales figures for March last year.

There was a particular surge in demand for beef and lamb in March 2020 and, notwithstanding that, beef sales were up 5.4% while lamb was up 7.2% in the 12 weeks to 21 March.

The average retail price of beef increased by 4.2% to €8.93/kg, influenced by a consumer switch to steak meat from mince. Steak sales were up 10.8% while mince sales dropped 6.3%.

Lamb retail prices increased by 2.9% to €10.49/kg. Sales of fresh pork were up 14.6% and bacon was up 18.3%.

SuperValu has a 22.4% share of the market, followed by Tesco on 21.6% and Dunnes on 21.3%.

Lidl has 12.7% while Aldi has a 12% market share.