Waitrose is set to introduce the highest standard supermarket British wagyu beef to its No.1 range in the latest expansion of its premium offering.

From tomorrow (18 September), five wagyu beef products, including meatballs, sirloin steak, rump steak, ribeye steak and burgers will be rolling out into stores.

Wagyu is graded on the Beef Marbling Scale (BMS) – recognised globally as the gold standard for wagyu beef – which determines the quality of the beef. The score is assigned on a scale from zero to nine, with a higher number providing a more tender, flavourful experience.

According to Waitrose, all of its wagyu beef is graded a minimum of a six on the BMS, which is the highest of any supermarket, with the rating to be displayed on every pack.

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All of the upmarket retailer’s wagyu also comes from cattle sired by registered pedigree wagyu bulls.

Waitrose wagyu beef product developer Tina Edwards said: “It’s no secret that wagyu beef is in higher demand than ever before – with searches for wagyu burgers up more than 100% on Waitrose.com compared to the same time last year.

“It was really important for us to deliver not only a great tasting product for our customers but to deliver on our high-welfare standards that we are so proud of as a brand.”

The products, which range in price from £4.70 to £14, will be rolling out with an introductory 20% offer until 23 October.

It marks the latest expansion of the grocer’s No.1 range, having relaunched the premium offering in June with nearly 200 new and improved products.

This was followed by the expansion of its No.1 confectionery range last month, with 27 new and improved products across chocolate boxes, filled chocolate bars, truffles and nougat, and its updated Indian ready meal range earlier this week, as it launched seven new products across main meals, sides and snacks.

As of today (17 September), Waitrose has also injected a further £10m into lowering prices across nearly 250 products in its No.1 and Duchy Organic ranges.