Australia: Beef and lamb consumption lifts on back of price drops, MLA reveals

Upward movement in consumption of beef and lamb is already evident on the back of cheaper supermarket prices, Meat & Livestock Australia has revealed. In terms of total spend, consumers are now spending more on red meat than they were three to six months ago, MLA's managing director Jason Strong told delegates at the 2023 Australian Meat Industry Council conference. Retail prices have only come back slightly compared to the big drop in livestock prices at saleyards, although this week the two big supermarkets announced discounts of 20 per cent and more on a big range of lamb products. However, it's been enough to shift the needle on the volumes people are putting in their shopping trolley. Mr Strong said longitudinal studies run by MLA had consistently shown that more than 50pc of the purchasing decision around red meat was based on price. No other drivers, including sustainability and animal welfare, accounts for more than 15pc. "Interestingly, more than 90pc of Australian ...