The latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel show that the amount of pork purchased in the 12 weeks to December 8 was 5% higher than a year earlier, while expenditure also increased by 6%.
The figures are reported in the latest issue of BPEX’s Pig Market Weekly, which says shoppers have been buying pork more frequently and buying more per trip.
Shoulder roasting joints have performed particularly well, making volume gains of 19%, boosting spending by 26%. Increases have been a result of shoppers switching in from beef and lamb as well as from pork leg joints.
Pork shoulder continues to offer a lower-priced alternative to other proteins. Chops and steaks have also had a strong quarter, with shoppers buying them more often, encouraged by an increase in promotions.
Bacon continues to struggle, with volume purchases 6% behind last year. Fewer shoppers have bought bacon and those remaining purchased it less often. Consumer spending was down 3% as a result.
Rashers, joints and steaks all suffered volume and value declines. Meanwhile, spending on sausages increased 8%, despite a 6% drop in volumes. Both bacon and sausages have lost out to fresh chicken and pizzas during the past three months. Pre-packed ham has made some gains again this period, with shoppers buying slightly more often.
A similar trend has been seen in the latest four weeks, although at a lesser extent. Sales growth for pork continued and was still driven by chops and steaks and shoulder joints. Bacon and sausages continued to be impacted by fewer shoppers buying, resulting in further volume decline.
Ham, on the other hand, recorded purchase growth of 3%, outperforming all other proteins in terms of actual volume gains.