Red meat sales rise sharply in the UK

Consumers in the United Kingdom consumed red meat, such as beef, horse meat and pork, much more often last year than in previous years. According to market agency Kantar, this has to do with the corona crisis.

The measures against the spread of the corona virus in the United Kingdom have ensured that Britons have bought more red meat. According to a study by market agency Kantar, British consumers bought 14% more red meat compared to 2019. They also spent 17% more on red meat. It is striking that many purchases were made locally last year, for example at butchers and farm shops instead of in the supermarket. The Scots, in particular, have bought more locally.

The fact that more red meat was consumed is surprising. This is because more and more Britons are concerned about the climate. Those consumers indicate that they want to eat less meat for the sake of the environment. The good news for these Brits is that beef and lamb in the UK emit 35% less carbon dioxide than the global average. This makes dairy farming one of the most sustainable in the world.

High level production
In addition, government agency AHDB has announced that beef production was at a high level last year. Production is expected to be 5% lower this year, according to AHDB. The agency expects a production of just under 500.000 animals per quarter. After the current year, according to AHDB, there is a recovery in beef production every year. More meat is expected to go to the catering industry after the lockdowns, which stimulates production.

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