AIMS March inflation report: meat prices fall again

AIMS March Inflation Report: “Calm before the storm” as supermarket meat prices fall again

UK supermarket meat and poultry prices fell for a second consecutive month in March, according to the latest AIMS meat and poultry inflation report, with the trade body warning that Middle East conflict related cost pressures are now starting to filter into the “four F’s of farming” and could reverse the recent easing.

AIMS said its March survey of four supermarket fixtures showed a 0.89% overall month on month fall, despite pork rising by 0.7%. Beef (-1.64%) and lamb (-0.92%) drove the decline, while chicken was unchanged at £4.63/kg.

Tony Goodger, Head of Communications at AIMS, said the month provided the price stability consumers and government have wanted to see after sharp increases during 2025.

However, AIMS said the longer term trend remains upward. Over the last twelve months, prices across beef, lamb, pork and chicken are reported to have risen by 7.95%, driven by beef, with the beef fixture up +15.81%. AIMS added that pork and chicken, often viewed as the proteins households have switched to during fast paced food inflation, have broadly maintained near price parity.

Looking ahead, AIMS linked the outlook to rising production and processing costs tied to the conflict in the Middle East. Goodger said the war is now impacting the “four F’s” of farming costs, meaning feed, fertiliser, fuel and finance, with higher costs likely to move along the supply chain and eventually be passed on to consumers.

The press release also references recent government messaging in Parliament, noting the Chancellor’s comments that supermarkets and banks would be brought together to discuss further customer support.

AIMS also points to the Government’s recent Land Use Framework, which it says highlights the need to drive productivity improvements and expand highly efficient sectors. It notes that the poultry sector has been identified as having potential to increase domestic production quickly. Goodger argues that planning applications for efficient poultry and egg production should be fast tracked as permitted development, to reinforce the message that “food security is national security”.

Source: Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) | 3oth March 2026