Brits continuing to reduce consumption of animal products

A new survey by The Vegan Society, which focused on changing consumer habits over the past 12 months, has found 20% of Brits have reduced the amount of meat they are eating while 12% say they’ve minimised their eggs and dairy intake.

In addition, 7% of respondents revealed they have cut down on all three, meaning that 25% have actively cut back on some form of animal products since the first lockdown.

The research shows that 86% of people cutting back on animal products during lockdown, are doing so for the same three primary motivations – health, environment, and animals. Other motivations included animal products being too expensive (8%) or not being available in shops (5%).

The survey finds that 54% of Brits bought meat alternatives for the first time during lockdown with 78% saying they will continue to buy them again in future.

Plant-based milks are also proving to be a hit with 36% of respondents trying oat milk for the first time and of those 67% saying they’ll purchase it again post-lockdown. Meanwhile, 60% of those who bought coconut milk for the first time in lockdown, plan to keep buying it in future.

When it comes to vegan staples such as pulses, including lentil and chickpeas, 32% bought them for the first time in the past 12 months and of those, 74% said they’ll get them again in future.

Louisianna Waring, insight and commercial policy officer, said: “It’s fantastic to see that not only are people consciously cutting back on animal products, but that this trend has continued over the last 12 months. It’s no surprise that the pandemic has inspired so many consumers to make the switch to plant-based alternatives and adopt a more planet-friendly diet.

“Covid-19 has certainly made people think twice about what they’re eating and where it’s coming from. This is highlighted by the large number of people cutting down on animal products because of their own health concerns.”