Chilled seafood sales in U.K. grocery stores continued their upward trend in the past quarter, while meat and poultry sales declined.
Chilled fish sales for the quarter ending 31 October rose 3.3 percent to GBP 480.7 million (USD 644 million, EUR 573 million), a GBP 15.3 million (USD 20.1 million, EUR 18 million) increase compared to Q3 2020 and up 12.7 percent compared to Q3 2019, according to new data from consumer data firm Kantar's November report.
Added-value seafood sales increased 16.6 percent for the quarter versus Q3 2020 and 27.3 percent versus 2019. Battered seafood sales rose 28.8 percent versus the same quarter in 2020 and spiked 68.5 percent versus 2019’s Q3 result. And while smoked seafood sales dropped 0.1 percent compared to Q3 2020, they rose 18.7 percent versus Q3 2019.
Shellfish sales also performed well during the quarter, rising 1.4 percent versus 2020 and 9.9 percent versus 2019.
Fish shoppers are also returning to the category more often, as visits rose 4.6 percent during the quarter, Kantar said.
“Nevertheless, shopper numbers have fallen compared to 2019, offset by the fact that those who do buy the category pay a higher price at GBP 12.39 (USD 16.59, EUR 14.76) in 2021 compared to GBP 11.61 (USD 15.54, EUR 13.83) in 2019,” Kantar added.
Conversely, fresh primary meat and poultry sales fell 5.1 percent in the quarter versus 2020, and rose 5.9 percent versus 2019, Kantar found.
“However, it’s worth remembering that comparing the current size of the market to the previous 12-week period, then fresh meat and poultry spend is up by GBP 50.2 milion [USD 67 million, EUR 60 million] and volume is up by 5.9 million kilograms,” Kantar said.
Photo courtesy of Gary L Hider/Shutterstock
