Sales of processed poultry and red meat products are being held back by consumers limiting/reducing their consumption for health or environmental reasons, as well as the increase in meat-free substitutes now available. However, sales have not been hit as much as might be expected, down only 1% since 2014 to just under £3.1 billion in 2019.

The market benefitted from the long heatwave of 2018, which drove more purchases of burgers and sausages for barbecues, as well as the popularity of coated chicken in recent years. Sales have slipped back in 2019 though and, going forward, growth will be hard to achieve, given the meat-reduction trend. Explaining why their products stand out on quality, communicating provenance and expanding flavour choice will all be important in keeping processed meats on the menu.

This Report examines the UK retail market for processed poultry and red meat meal components. Throughout this Report, ‘processed meat’ is also used as an umbrella term referring to both red meat and poultry products.

In this Report processed poultry/red meat meal components are defined as chilled and frozen poultry and red meat which has been altered from its original carcass form and has been taken a stage further than cutting into portions or adding a marinade or sauce, and which are typically eaten as part of a main meal.

The market size given in the Report includes sales of the following:

• Bacon, sausages and burgers

• Coated poultry, including any poultry part or portion that has been coated, eg breaded, battered

Other processed poultry and red meat products are also covered in the consumer research, including meatballs, cooked and sliced meats, cooked meat pieces, cooked and cured sausages, luncheon meat/corned beef, cured hams, pates/terrines and cooked ham joints for slicing at home.

Poultry includes chicken, turkey, duck and goose. Red meat includes beef, pork and lamb (including mutton).

Unprocessed poultry and red meat, defined as chilled and frozen primary cuts of red meat such as joints, steaks and chops, and poultry in whole bird or portion format, minced, diced and stewing meats, offal products such as liver, as well as red meat and poultry which has been marinated or glazed with a sauce are excluded from this Report. These, as well as game, are covered in Mintel’s Unprocessed Poultry and Red Meat – UK, October 2018 Report.

Meat snacks are excluded from this Report but are covered in Mintel’s Crisps, Savoury Snacks and Nuts – UK, January 2019 Report. Meat encased in pastry such as Cornish pasties or sausage rolls is excluded from this Report.

Sales via catering or foodservice establishments are excluded, although references and comparisons to these sectors may be made where relevant.