The nation is eating more burgers and steaks this year, according to Bord Bia figures. Meat sales at retail level to the end of May are up by 3% in volume and 5% in value year on year.

This has been driven by stronger beef performance, with burgers and steaks boosting sales.

Sales of sausages, bacon and chicken are also showing a positive performance up by 6%, 4% and 1% in volume terms when compared with 2016 levels.

Nearly €1.4bn was spent on meat over the 52 weeks to the week ending 21 May 2017.

This compares with €1.28bn for the same period over the previous year. That includes nearly 13.7t of steaks, 3t of burgers, 45t of chicken and 34t of bacon.