AHDB: Registrations of beef calves in GB totalled 1.94 million head in 2023
Examining this data by breed, there is year-on-year increases in registrations of Aberdeen Angus X (AAX) and Aberdeen Angus (AA) calves by 3.3% and 0.4%, respectively, from 2022 into 2023. This follows a long-term trend of increasing numbers of AAX and AA calves over the last ten years. Whilst this increase is largely driven by the increased use of beef sires in the dairy herd, we also see steady growth in registrations of AA/AAX calves from suckler dams over the same period.
On the contrary, registrations of continental breeds were down in 2023 compared to the previous year, contributing to the overall fall in registrations of beef calves. The greatest change was seen in Limousin X, with calf registrations down 8.3% in 2023, compared to the previous year. Significant declines were also noted for Charolais X calves, down 4.7% year-on-year, and Simmental X, down 8.1% year-on-year.
In 2023, registrations of Wagyu and Wagyu X calves totalled 35,600 head, a 108% increase on 2022. In a similar story to the growth in AA/AAX calves, the dairy herd is the largest contributor of this growth. However, suckler registrations have also increased. This growth has been fostered by the introduction of schemes incentivising Wagyu (X) calves.
AHDB analysis recently showed that just over half of cattle slaughtered for beef in GB currently come from the dairy herd, and the registrations data demonstrates that dairy beef will continue to contribute significantly to the GB beef supply pipeline.
Looking at registrations of different breeds by dam, we can see that for the most popular breed of beef calf - Aberdeen Angus X - 61% of these calves came out of the dairy herd in 2023. Similarly, the majority of British Blue X calf registrations came out of dairy dams, at 85%. In contrast, the suckler herd remains the main contributor of Limousin X and Charolais X calves, producing 80% and 91%, respectively of these breed registrations.
How important are breed callouts in retailers?
Beef breed call-outs are used in both lower priced and premium lines and retailers. However, this information on pack remains niche with only 1% of volume sales associated with a breed according to data from Kantar analysed by AHDB (52 w/e December 2023). Discounters have been building the brand of Aberdeen Angus and Wagyu.
Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) count has decreased from 2022 to 2023 for individual breed call-outs on-pack in retail, but ‘Angus’ has held a strong position. Hereford appears more in premium retailers, whereas Angus can be seen in lower priced outlets.
Making up an increasing share is Wagyu, where volumes purchased rose by 29.2% from 2022 to 2023.
The majority of Hereford and Angus SKU’s are for steaks, followed by burgers. Whereas Wagyu offerings meanwhile are dominated by mince products such as burgers and meatballs, driving more value into cheaper cuts.
The AHDB tracker with YouGov (November 2023) indicates that a particular breed is important for just 12% consumers, when buying premium beef, with consumers having more of an affinity to British (important to 39% of consumers). Responses indicate that breed call-out is more of a ‘nice to have’ for many. This sentiment also came out in our research on meat labelling, with consumers agreeing a breed call-out would suggest a premium product.
To boost recognition, some may opt for more generic claims such as ‘native breed’. The inclusion of a selection of breeds under this umbrella can reduce supply chain complexity, whilst still boosting retailer authenticity and conveying supply chain traceability.
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