Local beef sales declined to date in Northern Ireland, with the average household spend down from £167 to £162, according to the latest Kantar Worldpanel figures.
This accounts for a 3% decrease year on year. During the 52-week period ending September 14, the average retail price of beef in Northern Ireland recorded a 7% increase to £7.93/kg. In the corresponding period in 2013 the average price per kg was £7.41/kg and in the same period in 2012 the average retail price was £7.09/kg, according to the Northern Irish Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).
The higher price has meant the number of shoppers buying beef has recorded a slight decline. In the 2014 period 92.4% of householders surveyed by Kantar purchased beef compared to 93% in the corresponding period in 2013.
As a result, volume sales have fallen by almost 10% in the 52 weeks ending 14 September compared to the previous 52 week period. The combined impact of the higher price and reduced volume sales has been a decline of 3.3% in the value of beef sales in the year ending September 14, 2014.
According to the LMC, similar trends in beef sales can be seen in the 12-week period ending September 14, 2014, with the total value of beef sales in Northern Ireland back
4.2% on year earlier levels and volume sales back 7.7%.
