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UK shoppers boost legume purchases as prices push diet shifts

Sales of higher-quality legumes rose 30.3% in the first half of 2026, outpacing overall bean and pulse growth of 7.3% year over year.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Trade & Tariffs

British shoppers are buying more beans, lentils and soy-based foods, while cutting back on real and plant-based fake meats, as rising food prices reshape buying habits, according to an analysis compiled by the climate advocacy group Madre Brava and evaluated by NielsenIQ.

Overall sales of beans, pulses and soy bean derivatives in the UK increased 7.3% in the first half of 2026 versus the same period last year, with cheap dried lentils up 23.0% and canned and jarred butter beans up 30.3%. The Guardian reports that the growth in upmarket legumes was partly driven by new products and brands, including Bold Bean Co, Navarrico, and Marks & Spencer’s own-label offerings, as well as viral recipe trends on social media.

The outlet reports that baked beans sales were 1.2% lower, but the decline reflected fewer cans that include sausages. Fake meats continued to lose ground, with packages sold down 4.3%, as declines in textured soya, pea and wheat protein products offset renewed growth in mycoprotein sold under the Quorn brand.

The Madre Brava report, cited by The Guardian, said shoppers are not abandoning plant proteins, they are shifting toward simpler, higher-fibre foods whose prices are rising more slowly than overall food inflation, widening the price gap with meat. The report also pointed to meat inflation pressures, noting retail sales of meat fell 1.8% year over year alongside high inflation for items including beef and lamb.

Latest closeWheat $763.25 ▲11.3%

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