Pork products in the run-up to Christmas

Pilgrim’s UK is preparing to produce over 36 million high quality pork products in the run up to Christmas as more and more consumers choose pork to be at the heart of their festive occasions.

Changing consumer tastes, as well as concerns over turkey shortages last year, saw a continued decline in the amount of turkey consumed during Christmas 2022, falling from an average of 10% of the market over the last five years to just 7%[1] in 2022. Its share of volume (kg) also fell by 15.6% in the four weeks to Christmas Day 2022[2], compared to the same period in 2021.

Last year the food business saw consumers switch from turkey to relatively lower cost and far more versatile meat options, such as gammon. Retailers experienced a 5.1%[3] uplift in volume (kg) sales and a 23.6%[4] increase in value sales YoY of fresh gammon products in the four weeks to 25^th December as shoppers switched to alternatives to feature at the centre of their dinner tables.

Pilgrim’s UK now expects this trend to continue and demand for pork products to increase this Christmas, including gammon, and pork crackling joints. The food producer is gearing up to sell over 65 million packs of pork, and has already produced over 600,000 packs of pigs in blankets in preparation for the festive period.

Rachel Griffiths, Chief Commercial Officer at Pilgrim’s UK, said: “Evolving consumer tastes and the rising cost-of-living continues to bring more cost-effective and versatile pork products, such as gammon and pork crackling joints, to centre stage for Christmas dinners.

“For example, gammon joints are cheaper, costing just over £6 per kilo, compared to a turkey at over £10 per kilo, and cooks beautifully in slow cookers and air fryers, both of which use far less energy than conventional ovens, and therefore help further save money.

“Gammon is incredibly versatile, is simple to prepare and cook and is delicious – making it an ideal choice for Christmas! And when it comes to utilising leftovers, the recipes are endless.

“Our dedicated teams have been working hard, producing over 36 million, high quality pork products in the four weeks to Christmas this year to ensure our retail customers are well stocked for the festive period.”

[1] Kantar Worldpanel | Grocery Market | 4 weeks to 25.12.2022

[2] Kantar Worldpanel | Grocery Market | 4 weeks to 25.12.2022

[3] Kantar Worldpanel | Grocery Market | 4 weeks to 25.12.2022

[4] Kantar Worldpanel | Grocery Market | 4 weeks to 25.12.2022