Red meat consumption rising in UK - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Eurofood, Dec 21, 2000

Meat is still very much on the menu for people in the UK. The latest report from research company Datamonitor "Capturing Share of Meal," shows that the popularity of meat in the UK is on the increase, with average consumption per head reaching 31 kilograms for red meat, compared to 19kg for white meat. The report, which covered seven European nations and the US, revealed that the US and the UK have very similar eating patterns. Both nations have high red meat consumption levels and low fish and vegetable consumption levels. The growth rate for red meat consumption in the UK between 1996 and 20.00 stands at 1.9%, compared to 0.4% for white meat and 1.3% for vegetables. A factor behind these statistics is the fact that fish prices have risen across Europe over the last four years, and have risen the most in the UK. Also, recovering sales of beef since the BSE crisis in the UK have helped push up its growth rate figures.

A surprising fact discovered during the survey was that the number of meat eaters who are eating vegetarian dishes are on the increase. Fuelled by variety and healthy eating, the number of occasional vegetarians is increasing. However, Datamonitor has concluded that these numbers are more to do with healthy eating and variety than ethical reasons against the slaughter of animals. The survey also found that the chilled and fresh foods are gaining in popularity.

UK meat, fish and vegetable market size and CAGR %(1) (Kg m)

                1999      1997      1998      1999      2000

Meat
Beef           550.1     605.6     594.2     602.4     613.8
Pork           893.3     930.6     934.4     937.5     977.1
Lamb           242.2     239.7     246.1     243.7     245.1
Poultry      1 100.8   1 088.9   1 106.1   1 121.5   1 127.7
Overall      2 786.3   2 864.8   2 880.8   2 905.1   2 963.7

Fish
Frozen         132.3     133.8     132.5     131.9     131.8
Fresh          161.6     162.5     164.3     167.7     173.1
Other          138.0     145.6     149.3     141.5     103.4
Overall        431.9     441.9     446.1     441.0     408.2

Vegetables
Frozen         309.6     311.1     317.2     316.7     316.8
Fresh        2 096.4   2 209.3   2 169.8   2 229.9   2 264.8
Other          583.6     593.0     546.7     598.1     599.6
Overall      2 989.6   3 113.4   3 033.7   3 144.7   3 181.2

             CAGR %

Meat
Beef           2.8%
Pork           2.3%
Lamb           0.3%
Poultry        0.6%
Overall        1.6%

Fish
Frozen        -0.1%
Fresh          1.7%
Other         -7.0%
Overall       -1.4%

Vegetables
Frozen         0.6%
Fresh          2.0%
Other          0.7%
Overall        1.6%

Source: Datamonitor

Note(1): CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)