051113 Scottish Supermarkets Support Meat Processors

Scotland: Supermarket chain shows commitment to Scotch red meat industry worth £1.7 million.

Scotland’s red meat industry is set to benefit to the tune of £1.7 million following a decision by the supermarket chain J Sainsbury to increase the amount of Scotch branded products on their shelves in Scotland.

J. Sainsbury currently sells more than £1 million worth of beef in its 18 Scottish stores.

Pork and lamb sales are worth another £700,000. As a result of the retailer’s renewed commitment to sell their customers Scottish products, Scotch beef, Scotch lamb and Specially Selected pork will displace products from outside Scotland.

Donald Biggar, interim chairman of Quality Meat Scotland, the red meat development body, has welcomed the move.

“This is a clear response from one of the U.K.’s major retailers in order to meet the demands of its discerning customers for top quality beef, lamb and pork produced in Scotland by Scottish companies,” he said. “Not only is their decision a powerful endorsement of the selling power of the Scotch brand it will inevitably increase our share of all red meat sales in Scotland.”

Emma Metcalf-King of J. Sainsbury added: “As a company we are totally committed to supporting regional sourcing because we know that the majority of our customers want to buy and eat products that have been produced locally. In Scotland we are introducing 14 new lines across beef, lamb and pork and we are confident this will lead to a further increase in meat sales in our Scottish stores.”

Source: Meat Procession Magazine

RETURN TO HOME PAGE

E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com