Coronation weekend sees significant surge in meat and dairy consumption
By Rob Blair, Partner and ARA specialist
The coronation of King Charles earlier in May witnessed a notable uptick in meat consumption across the UK, a trend previously predicted by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). A similar increase had been observed during previous royal events, such as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Data from Kantar reveals that pork was the most popular meat during the coronation weekend, followed by beef, lamb, and a variety of dairy and poultry products. The uptick in sales was noticeable across all categories, with the public favouring a diverse range of goods.
Meat favourites included pork pies and cooked sausages, both experiencing sales boosts of 20 per cent and 16 per cent respectively. Sausage rolls were also in high demand, with a 22 per cent rise in sales compared to the last two weeks of April 2023.
Carrie McDermid, AHDB’s head of marketing, highlighted the importance of British livestock farmers in sustainable food production, particularly with the roast rack of lamb, one of the official coronation dishes, making a spotlight appearance.
The dairy sector too benefited from the coronation. Fresh cream sales soared by 80 per cent, likely driven by public enthusiasm for homemade desserts and baked goods, including the coronation quiche. Chosen by King Charles and Camilla, the quiche’s ingredients include cream, cheese, butter, and milk, contributing to the overall rise in dairy product consumption.
Grocery sales increased by 16 per cent during the coronation week compared to the average two-week period, despite ongoing price pressures. In addition, the poultry sector also experienced a sales boost with scotch eggs seeing a remarkable 31 per cent increase over the coronation weekend.
Charlotte Forkes-Rees, an AHDB analyst, emphasised the role of major events in shaping food consumption habits. She stated, “The nation loves to celebrate, so even unplanned events such as the King’s Coronation provide an excellent opportunity to stimulate sales of both red meat and dairy.”
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