ALDI raises meat war stakes with Coles, Woolworths at Canstar Blue Supermarket meat awards

ALDI Australia has raised eyebrows after taking out the majority of awards for its meat against rivals Coles, Woolworths and IGA. VOTE, HAVE YOUR SAY

Exclusive: ALDI Australia has raised the stakes in the meat war against rivals Coles, Woolworths and IGA, taking out the majority of Canstar Blue’s supermarket meat awards.

The results of the annual awards, obtained by News Corp Australia, were based on a survey of 3000 Australians who were asked to rate 16 different categories covering beef, chicken, lamb and pork.

Overall customer satisfaction ratings were given based on the freshness of each supermarket’s meat offering, its value for money and taste.

ALDI was the overall winner in the beef section, where it took the top spot for its beef sausages, mince and steak.

But Woolworths won the award for its beef burgers and Coles’ beef roast was a customer favourite.

ALDI Australia’s beef mince. Picture: Supplied

ALDI blitzed the entire poultry category with its chicken breast, mince, wings and drumsticks.

While Woolworths won the award for best lamb cutlets, ALDI got top marks for its lamb chops and roast.

In the pork category, ALDI won awards for its sausages, mince and roast, but Coles’ pork chops were a hit with customers.

Almost two-thirds of those surveyed said they buy meat on their regular grocery shop and 52 per cent have tried meat from multiple supermarkets.

A further 38 per cent would recommend the meat they bought to a friend.

ALDI Australia’s chicken drumsticks. Picture: Supplied

Canstar Blue editor Simon Downes said this was the second time ALDI had almost taken out all of the meat awards.

“The novelty of shopping at ALDI is not wearing off,” he said.

“They appear to be maintaining their high reputation.”

ALDI Australia Meat Buying Director Annette MacFarland told News Corp Australia they work hard to bring “better value” to customers.

“ALDI isn’t like other supermarkets,” she said.

“We’re able to keep our prices low by offering a limited, yet carefully selected product range and with the help of our suppliers.

“We are very particular about the meat we source.”

ALDI also attributed their success to their range of sizes including single steaks and family packs to ensure there is a product to suit each shoppers needs.

Despite keeping prices low, Ms MacFarland said they are continuing to support struggling farmers during the drought.

Coles meat products did win some sections in the awards. Picture: Supplied

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“The recent drought has had an impact on Australia’s primary meat producers and we have adjusted the price of our fresh meat to reflect these changing market conditions,” she said.

“We have been working directly with our suppliers to ensure that we maintain high quality meat at the most affordable price.”

Coles has defended the quality of their meat being offered in all of their stores, which comes from the “very best Aussie farmers”.

A spokeswoman told News Corp Australia: “We source our beef, chicken, lamb and pork from the very best Aussie farmers from across the country and have invested millions of dollars in quality including being the very first supermarket to introduce no added hormone beef, our chicken is RSPCA approved and all of our fresh pork is sow stall free and with no added growth promotants.”

Woolworths would not comment on its meat and the findings. Picture: Supplied

A Woolworths spokesman declined to comment on the awards.

The findings come as a recent ABARES report published by the Department of Agriculture in March found meat consumption growth in Australia is expected to be minimal.

Poultry is the most consumed meat at over 40kg per person. Beef, veal and pig meat each account for between 20 and 30kg per person.

Fish accounts for around 15kg per person and sheep meat for less than 10kg per person.

Originally published as ALDI raises meat war stakes with Coles, Woolworths at Canstar Blue Supermarket meat awards