Peter Duggan, Strategic Information Services, Bord Bia - Irish Food Board

The latest Kantar data for the Irish retail market points to some decline in consumer spending in the frozen category, especially for fish, meat and prepared foods. The change in the pattern of consumer purchases shows some switching to frozen and fresh poultry over the past number of weeks.

For the latest 12 week period ending the 17th March, frozen fish sales were back by 14%, frozen meat was back 11% and frozen prepared ready meals were back by 19% compared to the corresponding period last year. Consumers have begun to switch to alternative protein sources with frozen poultry sales 60% higher, and fresh poultry sales 11% higher with turkey being the standout performer within this category.  Fresh meat sales over the period recorded an increase of 3% in expenditure, reflecting strong beef and poultry sales.

For the latest 4 week period ending 17th March, the fresh meat category continued to perform solidly, with sales 1% higher. Sales of frozen ready meals during the same period were 40% behind the same time last year. Frozen poultry sales were more almost treble the same period a year earlier. However, it should be noted that this is from a small base. The strong performance for poultry is not just restricted to frozen, fresh poultry sales were 8% higher during the period.