United Kingdom: Halal lamb is worth nearly 1 billion euros, a third of the market according to a study

A recent survey by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) reveals unprecedented consumer trends in the UK halal meat sector. This in-depth analysis highlights significant changes in the country’s eating habits.

The study, led by Vanessa Adamson and Awal Fuseini, experts at the AHDB, shows that the Muslim community, which represents 6.5% of the British population, generates almost a third of lamb sales at the national, thanks in particular to its dietary and religious preferences.

The data collected highlights the remarkable stability of the halal market, despite recent economic turbulence. Indeed, 80% of Muslim consumers maintain a weekly purchasing frequency for halal lamb, contrasting sharply with the 6% observed in the general population.

The economic weight is considerable: this specialized market represents 823 million pounds sterling (around 963 million euros) for the year 2023. This positive dynamic encourages professionals to adapt their practices to the particular requirements of this clientele, particularly in terms of slaughter methods conform to religious prescriptions.

Faced with this observation, the AHDB, which had not carried out such a detailed study since pre-Covid, recommends an adaptation of the production and distribution sectors to meet this growing demand. Experts emphasize that this segment offers promising prospects for British breeders, in a context where traditional lamb consumption has been in decline for two decades.