Prime diced stewing beef on display at the counter of a butcher's in Folkestone, UK, on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. Inflation has surged on food and energy costs this year, with figures next week forecast to show it hitting 4% in September double the 2% target. Photographer: Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Prime diced stewing beef on display at the counter of a butcher’s in Folkestone, UK, on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. Inflation has surged on food and energy costs this year, with figures next week forecast to show it hitting 4% in September double the 2% target. Photographer: Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Jennifer Creery, Maddie Parker and Agnieszka de Sousa

Bloomberg NewsToday at 08:09

British beef’s pride of place on UK supermarket shelves is under threat as falling livestock numbers, record prices and stretched household budgets push grocers to seek out cheaper cuts from overseas.

Some supermarkets have watered down commitments to source all beef from domestic suppliers, raising fears foreign competition could price out local farmers at a time when the UK wants to boost food security.