Beef sales fall as consumers reject ready-meals

The volume of fresh and frozen beef sales fell 2.9% in the year to 5 January 2014 with the biggest fall coming from ready-meals.

Volume sales of fresh and frozen beef fell in every category apart from second quality stewing meat where it increased by just 0.1%. The biggest decreases were seen in frozen ready-meals, which were down 16%, and chilled ready meals, down 13%.

Volume of sales also fell at the premium end of the market, where first-quality stewing beef fell 15.4%, although sales of first- and second-quality roasting beef decreased by a smaller 2.9% and 4.8% respectively.

Overall consumers spent 3.8% more over the year, buying 2.9% less beef.

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