Volume sales of lamb from Scotland have jumped nearly 9% over the past year. New independent figures from TNS covering the autumn sales period show that more people chose lamb from Scotland over other options.

Volume sales of lamb from Scotland have jumped nearly 9% over the past year. New independent figures from TNS covering the autumn sales period show that more people chose lamb from Scotland over other options.

The new figures show that retail volume sales of Scottish origin lamb over the 12 weeks to November 2, increased by 8.7% year on year to 374 tonnes, compared to overall volume lamb sales in Scotland over the same period which fell from 912 tonnes to 871, a drop of 4.5%.

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) head of marketing, Laurent Vernet, commented: "In a market that was declining overall, the volume of lamb from Scotland sold in Scotland actually increased, giving the positive sign that people are really looking local when it comes to their red meat."

The decline in the volume of overall lamb sales is not confined to Scotland. Total lamb sales in Great Britain for the same quarter fell from 18,150 tonnes to 17,150 tonnes, down 5.5%, whilst the French are buying 6.8% less lamb this year compared with last.

Fortunately, declining consumption at home and in France is being matched by marked falls in production at home, in France, Ireland and New Zealand and that is keeping supplies tight.

The total retail market of Scottish origin lamb in the UK was worth £4.2m over the 12 weeks to October 5 2008. This is up 24% on last year when the market was severely disrupted and depressed by foot and mouth disease. In Scotland the value of sales was up 11.2% compared with a drop of 7.2% of all origin lamb.

Laurent said: "These latest figures show that despite the economic gloom and some fairly sharp price rises, people are still interested in what they eat, and for fresh ingredients such as lamb, quality and provenance are key."

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead, commented: "This is excellent news for the Scottish lamb sector, which is rightly being rewarded for the tasty, high-quality meat they produce. A rise in the sale of Scotch Lamb, even in the current economic climate, is a clear sign that many people are choosing to eat Scottish'.

"There is a growing interest in where our food comes from, how it was grown and its impact on the environment.

"Early next year we will launch Scotland's first-ever national food and drink policy to boost the industry and enhance our reputation as a land of food and drink."