Retail pigmeat sales increased by 1.4% to 929m kg in 2025, despite a 1.3% increase in average prices, with spend up 2.7% to £6.9bn.
Primary pork, where UK producers are strongest, saw a 2.7% increase in volumes to 139m kg and a 5% hike in value in the 12 months to December 28, 2025, data from Worldpanel by Numerator UK, summarised by AHDB, shows.
The outstanding performer was mince, with volumes up 25% year on year. The total roasting category was up 0.6%, with shoulder roasting sales up 3.6% but leg (-11.4%) and loin roasting (-3.1%) roasting volumes declining. Pork chop volumes were down 5.3%, with ribs up 3.9%.
Processed pork volumes were up 0.6%, with value up 0.4%. Within this category, sausage sales were up 2.8%, while bacon volumes fell by 2.4%. Marinades (+11.8%) and sous vides (+9.9%) both saw volume growth, while ‘ready to cook’ was down 2.5%.
Retail pork sector growth was driven, in no small part, by a 5% decline in retail beef sales to 128m kg over the year on the back of 17.5% year-on-year price hike, while lamb sales were down 8.2% to 79m kg.
12 weeks to December 28
Pigmeat sales growth slowed towards the end of the year, however. In the 12 weeks to December 28, volumes were up 0.5%, with a 2.4% increase in spend driven by a 1.9% increase in average prices paid.
Primary pigmeat volume increased by 2.5% over this period, with both gammon and roasting cuts performing well at Christmas. Roasting volumes were up 5.5% over the 12-week period, driven by increased buyers and an increase in volumes purchased per shopping trip.
Mince again saw the largest volume increase of 42.3% (1,446t) driven by increased buyers and volumes purchased per buyer.
Processed pigmeat volumes were unchanged over the 12-week period. However, gammon saw a 5.3% increase in volumes purchased, driven by an increase in frequency of purchase and an increase in shoppers. This offset declines seen by other processed pig meat products.
Total added value sales were up 4.9% in this period, driven by sous vide which saw a 20.5% increase in volumes purchased, offsetting a decline in marinade sales.