Meat
In the 12 weeks ending 24 March, GB volume sales of primary red meat, poultry and bacon declined 3% year-on-year.
Beef
As consumers generate interest in slow cooking, beef sales have been soaring. Consumers are now wanting alternative cuts such as beef cheek, rib and shin to get best value and variety from their purchases. This is seen with supermarkets diversifying their product range to include biodiverse cow breeds.
Consumer interest in Wagyu and grass-fed beef is also rising (56% and 33% respectively). This may lead to implications for need and demand with prices growing incrementally over the next few months.
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Lamb
Soaring labour costs and an increase in fixed costs such as feed, tariff and trade facilitation charges with a parallel of stiff competition from cheap imports, will squeeze farm business incomes from 2022. This may lead to strikes and protests with the potential of shortage in the next few weeks.
Pork
Price of pork products has increased by 38% in four weeks as African Swine fever wipes out a fifth of China’s pigs. 30 – 50% of Chinese pig farms have been affected by the outbreak which has increased pig prices around the world.
In fact, there has been an 18% increase in the price of bacon from February to April. Brexit uncertainty has driven the price of pork in the first quarter of 2019, however, the outbreak of African Swine flu will put additional pressure on price.
Cheese
Grana Padano
Price has remained at a constant level. However, as consumers demand new and innovative cheese products, there is potential to see a rise in the cost of rennet. This could lead to a knock on effect of price inflation.
Parmigiano Reggiano
Again, the price has remained the same in the last two months. However, sharp increases in the last year meaning prices have to plateau to cope with market pressures
Pecorino
The market is now demanding aged pecorino with a price increase for the sub-sector at 1.57%.
Pecorino cheese aged at 5 months has remained a constant price in the last two months.
Cheddar
A quiet first quarter of the year with some slight movements.
Uncertainty of Brexit has led to deals being made and stocks being held.
Milk levels in the UK are up 3% and some Irish creameries have seen milk volumes increase as much as 18%.
Mozzarella
Europe has faced shortages of milk in the last four months.
Mozzarella has seen higher movements, coupled with currency inflation we have seen this as the biggest driver in 2019
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