Australians are tightening their grocery budgets, and meat is on the chopping block, with many switching to cheaper cuts or eating less meat to keep grocery bills under control, according to new research from Canstar Blue.
The results come as Canstar Blue names the winners of its 2025 Most Satisfied Customer – Supermarket Meat Awards, based on feedback from more than 3,000 shoppers on their preferred supermarkets for buying meat.
The research also found that the majority of Australians are bulk-buying, picking marked-down items, or shopping around for better value on meat.
Aldi and Costco recognised as 2025 Most Satisfied Customers Award Winners
Aldi and Costco are the only two supermarkets to receive Canstar Blue 2025 Most Satisfied Customers Awards for Supermarket Meats. Aldi received top ratings for chicken, lamb, fish, and seafood, while Costco was the highest-rated for beef and pork.
Canstar Blue’s survey asked over 3,000 shoppers to rate supermarkets on overall satisfaction, value for money, taste, and freshness across six categories of meat.
2025 Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customers Awards Supermarket Meats
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Beef | Costco |
| Chicken | Aldi |
| Pork | Costco |
| Lamb | Aldi |
| Fish | Aldi |
| Seafood | Aldi |
Cost-of-living squeeze means meat gets the cut
Increased cost-of-living pressures have shifted how households shop for meat, with Canstar Blue’s research showing:
- 31% have reduced the amount of meat they eat to save on costs.
- 29% of shoppers plan their weekly meals around the specials and promotions on offer.
- 29% have switched to buying cheaper cuts of meat.
The average amount shoppers report they spend on meat per grocery shop is $47, with lamb and seafood the most expensive at $30 per shop, beef at $28, pork at $24, and chicken the cheapest at $21.
Savings strategies in the meat aisle
A staggering 83% of shoppers are actively trying to keep costs down on their supermarket meat purchases, with Canstar Blue research showing:
- 28% will choose discounted or marked-down products
- 28% are purchasing bulk-buy or value packs to freeze and use later
- 20% buy whatever is cheapest at the time
- 9% are stretching their meals out by adding ingredients like beans, lentils, or vegetables
Canstar Blue spokesperson, Eden Radford, says the cost of buying meat at the supermarket has increased at pace in the last year as export demand and inflation have made an impact, which only makes it harder for households to keep their grocery bills down.
“Canstar Blue’s research shows shoppers are cutting back on their meat purchases, or switching to cheaper cuts, in a bid to reduce their overall spend,” she says.
“The research also echoes a recurring theme we have seen in Canstar Blue’s customer research this year, which is that shoppers are becoming increasingly savvy when it comes to their supermarket shop. Many are employing tactics to get the products they want while still securing great value.
“Almost half of shoppers choose to bulk buy or purchase marked-down products, while over a quarter use the weekly specials to plan their meals.
“The 2025 Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customers Award Winners, Aldi and Costco, not only earned five stars for overall satisfaction in their respective categories, but significantly, also earned top ratings for value for money in every meat category too.
“This echoes customers’ focus on finding a supermarket that offers satisfaction, without compromising on value.”
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