New data from AHDB’s red meat retail performance report for the 12 weeks ending 30 November 2025 reveals contrasting trends across beef, lamb and pork categories in UK households. The latest insights show that sustained price inflation is reshaping consumer purchasing behaviour, with implications for suppliers and processors ahead of the festive season.

In the beef category, total retail spend increased by 10.8%, driven by a substantial 19.3% rise in average prices, while volumes purchased fell by 7.1% compared with the same period last year. Primary beef cuts saw notable volume declines, with only stewing cuts showing modest growth, supported by increased promotional activity and shopper frequency.

Total processed beef volumes also declined, particularly in burgers and grills, although ready-to-cook offerings saw a near 16% increase in volumes, reflecting changing consumer preferences in busy seasonal periods.

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Source: AHDB | 16th December 2025

Irish Pork Sector Hit by Five Year Chinese Anti Dumping Tariffs

The Irish pork sector is set to face five years of additional trade pressure after China confirmed anti dumping tariffs on EU pork imports, a move that will directly affect Irish and other European producers. The new duties, ranging from 4.9% to 19.8%, come into force this week and are widely viewed as part of a broader trade dispute between China and the EU.

While the final tariff levels are significantly lower than the provisional duties of up to 62.4% announced earlier this year, they still represent a substantial barrier for exporters. In 2024, Ireland shipped more than 61,000 tonnes of pigmeat to China, worth almost €100 million, underlining the importance of the Chinese market to the sector.

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Source article: Irish Examiner  | 16 December 2025 

US Pork Exports Gain Ground in Mexico as Beef Faces China Roadblock

US pork exports continue to gain traction in Mexico, benefiting from strong demand and established trade links. In contrast, US beef shipments to China remain constrained by regulatory and market access barriers, forcing exporters to seek alternative outlets.

The contrast highlights how policy and compliance issues are increasingly shaping global protein trade.

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Source article: Beef Magazine | 16 December 2025

Export Delays Mount as UK Meat Faces Border Scrutiny

More than 100 consignments of British meat worth over £10m have been held at the French border in recent months, according to industry sources. AIMS has blamed weaknesses in the FSA’s delivery of official controls, while exporters report increasingly strict checks at Calais.

The delays are adding cost, risk and uncertainty for UK exporters and are raising wider concerns about the long-term viability of EU trade routes.

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Source article: The Grocer – “AIMS slams FSA meat inspections after £10m worth of UK meat seized at French border”

15 December 2025

Irish food and beverage exports rose 13% to €14.27bn in the first nine months of 2025, but the sector now faces significant regulatory change. EU Regulation 2025/351 will tighten rules on plastics used in food contact materials, with businesses required to comply by September 2026.

Further pressure will come from the EU Deforestation Regulation by the end of 2026, alongside a shift towards QR and data matrix codes for enhanced traceability. Food prices in Ireland continue to rise, adding to cost and compliance challenges.

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Source article: ThinkBusiness / Bank of Ireland – Irish food sector – December 2025

15 December 2025

Fire Halts Production at Black Country Pork Scratchings Business

A family-run pork scratchings producer has temporarily halted operations after an overnight fire caused significant damage at its Walsall premises.

G Simmons & Sons Pork Scratchings said the incident was devastating but confirmed that no one was injured. The business, which supplies supermarkets and operates an online delivery service, said it would remain shut while it assesses damage and begins recovery work.

According to BBC News, the fire broke out on Sunday evening and involved two large drums of cooking oil. At its peak, 13 fire appliances and 95 firefighters from the West Midlands Fire Service attended the scene before the response was scaled back the following day.

The company said it is working to restore supply as quickly as possible and will provide updates as progress is made. Pork scratchings are a long-standing Black Country speciality, traditionally sold in pubs, and the business has operated in the area for decades.

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Source: BBC News | 15 December 2025

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has strongly criticised the European Commission’s handling of the recent Brazilian beef recall, describing the response as “pathetic” following the detection of illegal hormone residues in imported beef entering the EU market.

IFA President Francie Gorman said the Commission’s position that it is “up to Brazil” to address the issue is unacceptable, particularly after EU audits concluded that Brazilian procedures designed to prevent the banned hormone oestradiol from entering the food chain could not be relied upon. He argued that this response fails to protect both consumers and EU producers operating under strict regulatory controls.

According to the IFA, the latest recalls reinforce concerns raised during an association-led investigation in Brazil last month, which highlighted weaknesses in monitoring and enforcement. Gorman has called on the Commission to publish the full audit report without delay and to pause all beef imports from Brazil until robust guarantees are in place.

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Source article:
Longford Leader – “IFA say EU Commission response to Brazilian beef recall ‘pathetic’”  | 14 December 2025

UK consumers increased their spending on meat by £500 million year on year, as buying habits continue to shift away from meat-free alternatives, according to analysis reported by The Telegraph. Beef led the growth, with sales up £418 million, while poultry spending rose by a further £219 million, underlining renewed demand for traditional protein sources.

The report links the change in purchasing behaviour to health and nutrition trends, including increased focus on protein intake and the growing influence of weight-loss medications, which are altering consumer diets. At the same time, demand for meat-free products has weakened, with sales of plant-based alternatives falling by £23.2 million, amid concerns over ultra-processed foods.

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Source article:
The Telegraph – “Shoppers spend £500m more on meat as vegan boom fades” | 13 December 2025