Meat Inflation Rises 4.06% in April

Beef and Lamb Roasting Joints Drive April Meat Inflation, Says AIMS

Meat and poultry prices rose by 4.06% in the 12 months to April 2026, according to the latest inflation report from the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers.

The annual figure is lower than the 7.95% recorded in the 12 months to March, but prices still moved upwards on a monthly basis, rising by 0.65% during April.

AIMS said beef and lamb were the main drivers of the monthly increase, with beef prices rising by 1.16% and lamb by 1.04% compared with March. These rises were partly balanced by falls in pork and chicken, which were down by 1.39% and 0.22% respectively.

Of the 30 meat and poultry lines tracked in the report, seven fell in price, seven remained unchanged and 16 increased. AIMS said beef roasting joints, up 9.57%, and lamb roasting joints, up 11.45%, were the standout increases.

Year on year, the overall meat and poultry inflation figure of 4.06% remains ahead of the 3.4% figure for food and non alcoholic beverages reported by the Office for National Statistics.

AIMS said annual price increases for beef and lamb continue to be the main contributors to meat inflation, while some chicken and pork cuts are still offering better value for shoppers at the chilled fixture. Chicken breast portions and thigh fillets have fallen year on year, while pork loin steaks, chops and mince are also giving consumers lower cost options.

Looking ahead, AIMS warned that rising costs across packaging, plastics, fuel, labour and farm inputs such as feed and fertiliser could continue to put upward pressure on meat and poultry prices in the coming months.

Source: AIMS | 4 May 2026