UK Shoppers Trade Meat Mimics for Beans and Tofu as Retail Data Tracks Protein Realignment

Sales of beans, pulses, tofu, and tempeh in the UK have seen a significant increase, rising 7.3% by unit and 10.1% by value in the first half of 2026. This growth is contrasted with a decline in the sales of plant-based meat substitutes, which fell 4.3% in units and 2.7% in value. The shift in consumer preferences towards whole-food ingredients with higher fiber content is seen as a positive move for health, sustainability, and affordability, with beans being highlighted as a particularly beneficial protein source.

Mycoprotein, such as Quorn products, was the exception to the decline in meat-mimicking products, with sales holding ground. Premium bean products, such as chickpeas and butter beans, saw unit prices increase, indicating a shift towards higher-end products, while other beans and lentils saw prices fall. As the plant-based food market continues to evolve, there is a call from various organizations for supermarkets to set targets for plant proteins to make up 30% of protein sales by 2030, with only Lidl GB currently having such a target in place.