Meat is a costly part of the weekly shop for many Australians. Weighing up cost, cut and type and choosing which supermarket to purchase from can make a real difference when it comes to quality and pricing at the checkout.
In Canstar Blue’s latest supermarket meat survey, we reveal how much Aussies spend on meat per shop and compare prices across supermarkets and meat type. We also break down meat spending habits by state, household size, income, age group and supermarket so you can find out how others Aussies like you shop.
How much do Aussies spend on meat per shop?
Aussie households spend an average of $31 on meat (including seafood) at the supermarket per shop, according to a Canstar Blue survey of supermarket shoppers*. If you do your grocery shopping weekly, this equates to about $124 a month or $1,488 a year. The cost of meat and seafood products per shop (assuming a weekly shop) is about one fifth of the average weekly grocery spend in Australia − $160.
This is about $430 less than what Australian shoppers were spending on meat per year the last time we surveyed this category in 2022.
Here are some other facts Aussies revealed about their supermarket meat purchasing habits in our 2023 survey:
- Nearly a third of Aussies (32%) have reduced the amount of meat they eat for cost reasons.
- 16% are willing to pay more for ethically sourced meat (i.e. free-range chicken, grass-fed beef, etc.).
- Over a third of Aussies (40%) would eat more seafood or fish if it was less expensive.
- 16% think they eat more meat than is ideal for good health.
Which supermarket is the cheapest for meat?
This table displays the average spend by supermarket, based on a Canstar Blue survey of more than 4,000 Australian shoppers.
| Supermarket | Average spend on meat per shop |
| ALDI | $24 |
| Woolworths | $27 |
| Coles | $42 |
Source: Canstar Blue research, December 2022.
Our survey found that Aussies who shop at ALDI tend to spend less on meat per shop ─ $24 ─ than those who shop at Woolworths or Coles which has an average meat spend of $42 per shop ─ nearly double that of ALDI. This may suggest that shoppers are willing to spend more on quality meat products sourced from local suppliers, with Coles having an advanced farm-to-store model. Just keep in mind that Australian meat retail costs will vary between supermarkets, based on factors like supply and demand, production costs (i.e price of grain, etc.), seasonality, and distributor pricing (what a supermarket pays to source and stock a particular product).
How much do Aussies spend on different meats?
Aussie shoppers spend less on chicken than on any other type of meat , averaging $15 per shop. Meanwhile, people spend the most on lamb, at $22 per shop on average.
- The average spend for beef was $21 (per shop)
- The average spend on lamb was $22 (per shop)
- The average spend for pork was $17 (per shop)
- Seafood costs on average $25 (per shop)
Average meat spend by state
This table shows the average spend on supermarket meat and seafood products per shop across Australian states, based on a Canstar Blue survey of more than 4,000 shoppers.
| State | Average spend on meat per shop |
| South Australia | $30 |
| Tasmania | $27 |
| Western Australia | $31 |
| Victoria | $31 |
| New South Wales | $32 |
| Queensland | $30 |
Source: Canstar Blue research, December 2023.
As outlined above, households in Tasmania reported the lowest average spend on meat, while Aussies in New South Wales spent the most on meat per shop.
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Top 5 tips to save money on meat at the supermarket
- Shop meat at the end of the day: Supermarkets typically discount meat products nearing their used-by date at the end of each day to make way for fresher stock the following day. This means that shopping in the afternoon around 4pm or 5pm could save you big dollars on a rump steak or seafood! Keep your eye out for ‘reduced’ stickers.
- Try a meat-free meal once a week: Going meatless one day per week could save you about $40 a month and make family dinners healthier by substituting animal products with veggies and plant-based alternatives like tofu and lentils. Win-win.
- Buy meat in bulk: You can often bag a bargain by buying meat in bulk when it’s on sale and freezing the lot for later. You can also try buying meat in bulk from a wholesaler or butcher.
- Buy cheap cuts of meat: Buying cheap meat cuts like chuck steak and chicken drumsticks could not only save you loads of money in the long run but also help you whip up fancy dishes like Beef Bourguignon and Coq Au Vin to impress the family. Oui!
- Compare prices: Check out the price per kilogram of your favourite meat cuts and seafood (known as the unit price) and compare prices from different supermarkets and butcher shops. Keep in mind that supermarkets typically release their weekly specials on Wednesdays.
*Survey based on shoppers who have purchased and eaten a supermarket homebrand meat product (i.e. steak, mince, cutlets, etc.) from a supermarket in a four-week period – in this case, 6,000 people.
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