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Sales of both beef and lamb in Britain saw healthy gains
during 2004 with the total value of beef sales for the year hitting a huge
£1.5 billion*.
The growth is shown in figures released by the Meat and
Livestock Commission on behalf of the English Beef and Lamb Executive
(EBLEX).
They show that while the value of beef sold in Britain
rose by 4.4 per cent over 2003, lamb performed even better with the value
of sales rising 8 per cent to a total of £551.7 million. Britain
is Europe's largest sheep producer and a high proportion of its product
is exported.
Areas which saw the most remarkable growth rates were marinades
of beef which increased last year by 32.4 per cent and cuts of lamb suitable
for curries, goulashes and stews which rose by 22.1 per cent.
David Croston, EBLEX Chief Executive, said: "These
figures are extremely heartening. Beef and lamb have always been among
the most popular bases for British meals and they just go from strength
to strength. We are now eating more beef in Britain than we have since
the 1980s, well over one million tonnes of it!"
[21 Jan 05]
* Taylor Nelson Sofres Superpanel data.
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