Industry Analysis & Industry Trends
Consolidation along the meat supply chain and shifting consumer meat consumption habits, including belt tightening amid the recession, have been the major trends causing the 0.1% decline in revenue over the past five years. Yet, the Meat Wholesaling industry will generate £7.92 billion in revenue in 2011-12, an increase of 2.0% on the previous year. This will be the first year of industry revenue growth, as debt-laden consumers tightened their belts in order to divert income towards savings and paying down debt.
The economy was not the only factor driving changes in consumer meat consumption over the past five years, with environmental, social and health concerns along with cultural diversity also having an effect on consumption trends... purchase to read more
Industry Report - Industry Products Chapter
While beef is the industry's largest product segment, it has been losing share to other types of meat over the past five years. In particular, poultry meat consumption (of which about 95% is chicken) has been on the rise, taking market share from the more expensive varieties in beef, lamb and pork. Chicken's rising popularity has been driven by its low price and the wide range of convenient meal options it offers. The shift from beef to chicken and lamb can be in part attributed to the United Kingdom's increasing cultural diversity... purchase to read more