UK Shoppers Increase Legume Purchases Amid High Meat Inflation

British shoppers increased their purchases of beans, pulses, and soya bean derivatives by 7.3% during the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year. This shift is primarily driven by high inflation for meat, specifically beef and lamb, alongside a growing consumer interest in nutrition and health.

Market data shows a significant surge in specific categories, with dried lentils increasing by 23% and canned or jarred butter beans rising by 30.3%. While processed meat alternatives declined by 4.3%, mycoprotein products under the Quorn brand experienced renewed growth. Madre Brava noted that shoppers are shifting toward simpler, higher-fibre foods because their prices are rising more slowly than general food inflation, widening the price gap with meat.

This trend aligns with the Bang in Some Beans campaign, led by celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, which aims to double bean consumption in the UK by 2028. Major retailers are supporting this shift; Lidl Great Britain Limited has introduced new products like flavoured tofu as part of a 2025 target to increase the share of plants in its protein sales.