The percentage of British pork facings fell slightly in July, according to the latest Porkwatch data, leaving total numbers at 82%, which was 1% below the same month last year.
“The new figures show that, of all the major retailers, only Lidl increased the percentage of British pork facings on last year, rising by 7%, to 95%.
Asda and Tesco, meanwhile, both reduced their British facings, falling by 6% and 2% respectively, to 57% and 61%.
All the other major retailers “stood on” at last year’s levels, and continued to offer exclusively 100% British pork.
For other cuts, British bacon facings were 5% back on the year at 46%, British ham facings fell back 2%, year-on-year, to 65%, while British sausage facings remained at last year’s 84% level.
The bacon decline was largely driven by falls in Aldi (-19%), Sainsbury’s (-22%) and Tesco (-10%) while, in contrast, Asda and Lidl both posted British bacon increases of 20% and 21% respectively. However, only Marks & Spencer and Waitrose continued to offer British bacon on a 100% basis.
The biggest change in relation to British ham was a 24% decline in facings offered by Lidl.
AHDB Pork continually encourages retailers to source Quality Standard pork and pork products with the results being monitored in-store through a bi-monthly Porkwatch survey conducted by the National Pig Association (NPA).