Jumping beans: UK shoppers turn to legumes to save cash and improve diet
Sales of beans, lentils and soya bean derivatives on rise while Britons buy less real and fake meat British shoppers are munching more beans, lentils, tofu and tempeh – while cutting back on real and plant-based fake meat – to save money and improve their diet. The amount of beans, pulses and soya bean derivatives sold in the UK increased by 7.3% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same…
British shoppers are increasingly opting for beans, lentils, tofu, and other legume products to save money and improve their diets, according to a recent market analysis. Sales of these items rose by 7.3% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, driven by a surge in cheap dried lentils, which saw a 23% increase.
Consumers also turned to more premium legumes, such as organic and jarred varieties, with canned and jarred butter beans experiencing a 30.3% growth. The rise in bean sales is partly attributed to new products and brands, like the Bold Bean Co, Navarrico, and M&S's own-label offerings, as well as viral recipes on social media. Baked beans, once a supermarket staple, saw a slight decline due to a drop in sales of sausages-containing cans.
Fake meats, once popular, are seeing a decline in sales as well, with a 4.3% reduction. The shift towards legumes is driven by lower prices, higher fiber content, and perceived health and environmental benefits. The Bang in Some Beans campaign, launched last year by celebrity chefs and supermarkets, aims to double bean consumption in the UK by 2028, aligning with broader efforts to promote legumes as a healthier and more sustainable protein source.
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