Halal meat now accounts for 30% of lamb sales in the UK, according to new research from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

The findings shed light on how the consumption habits of halal meat consumers have evolved since the Covid pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, providing valuable insights for farmers and the wider meat industry.

The AHDB report delves into the behaviours and preferences of halal meat consumers, helping businesses in the sector better understand what drives their purchasing decisions. It also highlights the significance of Islamic festivals and offers key opportunities for the halal meat sector to meet the growing demand for specific products.

While Muslims represent around 6.5% of the UK population, they are a crucial consumer base for lamb, contributing to a notable portion of the market. Despite a steady decline in lamb consumption over the last two decades, mainly due to the higher price of lamb compared to other meats such as chicken, lamb continues to be a key protein source for the Muslim community. In fact, 80% of halal consumers eat lamb weekly, and 64% consume mutton weekly—figures that far exceed the 6% of the general UK population who include lamb in their diets.

The research also reveals that Muslims spent £823 million on halal meat alone in 2023, a substantial sum that highlights the growing market for halal products. In comparison, in 2016, UK Muslims were estimated to have spent £4.64 billion on halal food and beverages, reflecting a significant shift in spending patterns and consumption habits in recent years.

The findings indicate that farmers and producers could benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of the halal market and its unique requirements. By tailoring offerings to suit the preferences of halal consumers, the industry has the potential to tap into a lucrative and loyal consumer base, ensuring long-term growth for the sector.

As demand for halal products continues to rise, the AHDB’s report offers a timely opportunity for the industry to better meet the needs of Muslim consumers, ensuring that they continue to enjoy high-quality halal lamb and mutton products while supporting the growth of this important market.

Source: AHDB

Chesterfield Poultry, based in Thorne, South Yorkshire, has taken a major step forward in its operations by transitioning from relying on Food Standards Agency (FSA) meat inspectors to creating its own team of Plant Inspection Assistants (PIAs).

This move marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to quality and safety in poultry production.

The transition was made possible after Chesterfield Poultry’s team successfully completed the FDQ Level 2 Award for Proficiency in Poultry Meat Inspection, specialising in the Broilers and Hens pathway. The qualification ensures that staff have the technical expertise required to carry out poultry meat inspections with the highest standards of accuracy and efficiency.

Following a final assessment by the Food Standards Agency’s Official Veterinarian (FSA OV), Chesterfield Poultry’s newly trained team received FSA authorisation to perform post-mortem inspection duties. The transition was supported by the FDQ-accredited Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) and their lead assessor, Dr. Craig Kirby.

Mihaela Otter, Technical Manager at Chesterfield Poultry, who led the project, expressed her pride in the team’s achievements. “With a rigorous qualification like this, it was vital to choose learners with strong knowledge and understanding before beginning the course with AIMS. When the team reached the assessment stage with Dr. Kirby, I was confident their dedication would ensure success. I am incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished,” she said.

Chesterfield Poultry Director Nadeem Iqbal also highlighted the significance of the initiative, both for the company and its workforce. “This journey has been immensely rewarding. It has given our top employees the opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute to the high-quality poultry production at our Thorne plant. Thanks to Mihaela’s leadership and the support from FDQ and AIMS, we are confident that our products meet the highest inspection standards and are safe for consumers,” he said.

With this move, Chesterfield Poultry not only strengthens its internal capabilities but also ensures that its products continue to meet rigorous food safety standards, giving consumers confidence in the quality of their poultry products.

A significant shift in the Brazilian meat industry has emerged as major companies begin to suspend their supply to Carrefour and its subsidiaries in Brazil. This move comes as a direct response to the French retailer’s recent announcement of a boycott on Mercosur meat products.

The decision to halt meat supply was initiated on Friday, November 22, 2024. It follows a statement made by Carrefour’s global CEO, Alexandre Bompard, on Wednesday. Bompard declared a boycott on meat from Mercosur countries, citing solidarity with French agricultural interests.

This retaliation could significantly impact Carrefour’s operations. The company’s Brazilian unit contributes 17% of global revenues and 51% of net profits. A loss of 2-5% of Brazilian customers could cost Carrefour $315-788 million in revenue.

Industry sources reveal that 30% of Carrefour’s Brazilian units are already experiencing supply disruptions. The impact is primarily affecting beef products, with a growing number of poultry suppliers joining the movement. No interruptions in pork deliveries have been reported so far.

Richard Mann | The Rio Times

Carrefour CEO Alexandre Bompard announced this week that his company would not be selling meat imported from the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) in a move to prevent the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union from pulling through. France’s largest supermarket planned on suspending meat imports from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay “in solidarity with the agricultural sector.”

In a letter to French farmers’ union leader Arnaud Rousseau, Bompard said he hoped to “inspire other players in the agri-food sector” as the European country rises as a stalwart against the commerce treaty between the two blocs whereas other European powers such as Germany advocate eliminating the need for consensus among members to move on with the initiative.

“Carrefour wants to act alongside the agricultural sector and today undertakes not to sell meat from Mercosur,” the letter assured. “We hope to inspire other actors in the agri-food sector and to encourage a broader solidarity movement,” it added.

MercoPress

German meat producer Tönnies Group will rebrand as Premium Food Group starting next year.

This change reflects the company’s evolution from a meat processor to a broader food manufacturer.

The Tönnies brand will now be exclusively associated with the meat production business unit, while the new Premium Food Group name will represent the entire company.

The rebranding will include replacing the Tönnies signage on the cold storage facility at the company’s headquarters in Rheda-Wiedenbrück with the new PFG logo.

Tönnies shareholder Maximilian Tönnies explained that this structural transformation process began years ago and aims to position the company for the future. He emphasized that the goal is to enable business areas to make decisions faster and act more independently, with each area operating as its own company.

Original story by Just Food

Interfax

Read the original story at BBC News