Business & Finance
UK bean and pulse sales rose 7.3% in early 2026 as meat purchases fell
High food prices and health considerations led shoppers toward cheaper, higher-fiber plant proteins.
The short version
- UK sales of beans, pulses, and soya derivatives increased 7.3% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year.
- Purchases of real meat declined 1.8% and ultra-processed plant-based meat alternatives dropped 4.3%, while dried lentil sales jumped 23%.
- Advocacy group Madre Brava attributed the dietary shift to ongoing food inflation and growing interest in nutritious, lower-cost foods.
Key facts
- UK retail sales volume for beans, pulses, and soya derivatives rose 7.3% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same timeframe in 2025.[The Guardian]
- According to NielsenIQ data analyzed by Madre Brava, sales of dried lentils rose 23% and canned or jarred butter beans increased 30.3%.[The Guardian]
- Real meat retail sales dropped 1.8% year over year, while sales of packaged plant-based meat substitutes decreased 4.3%.[The Guardian]
- Twenty-nine food companies, including major UK supermarket chains, have signed commitments supporting a campaign to double national bean consumption by 2028.[The Guardian]
Sources
- Jumping beans: UK shoppers turn to legumes to save cash and improve dietThe Guardian - World