UK beef price hikes force supermarket strategy shift

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UK beef prices have surged by a record 27.4% over the past year, the largest increase since records began in 1988, forcing a strategic rethink from food producers and supermarkets.

This dramatic price rise is a result of a ‘perfect storm’ of factors, including a 6% drop in cattle slaughter, taking UK beef production to a 10-year low.

Global factors such as US droughts and disease in Mexican cattle, combined with domestic pressures like higher feed costs and wage inflation, have all contributed to the price pressure. In response, consumer demand has shifted, with beef burger consumption falling 12% while demand for cheaper proteins like minced pork has risen by 35%. Supermarkets are reportedly adapting by increasing their focus on more affordable chicken-based ready meals.

Source: Farming Online

Published: 24 November 2025

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UK beef prices have surged by a record 27.4% over the past year, the largest increase since records began in 1988, forcing a strategic rethink from food producers and supermarkets.

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