CONSUMERS are increasingly buying fresh beef and lamb to cook with rather than ready meals, according to new figures.

In the four weeks to April 14, market analyst Kantar Worldpanel data showed volume sales of fresh lamb are up 26.3 per cent and fresh beef up ten per cent, compared to the same period last year.

Within the beef category, mince showed a ten per cent increase, first quality roasting joints were up seven per cent, steaks five per cent and stewing meat 25 per cent.

In contrast, products implicated in the horsemeat scandal have continued to dip, with beefburger sales down 43 per cent and chilled ready meals falling 18 per cent in the same period.

Nick Allen, sector director for EBLEX, said: “Cuts used as ingredients for home-made meals have been doing well following a number of months of decline.

“It indicates that consumers are cooking more meals from scratch, rather than buying ready meals, which is very encouraging for the beef and lamb sectors.

“While the horse meat scandal has rocked the industry, if consumers are buying quality assured fresh beef, they have reassurance on provenance and traceability.”