The pattern towards flexitarianism, where consumers decrease their meat consumption and up intake of plant-based foods, has actually taken hold over the last few years.
According to 2019 YouGov research study, 14%of the UK population consider themselves flexitarians– suggesting they only sometimes eat meat.
Yet new research from market insight company Mintel recommends the flexitarian motion has been impeded by the coronavirus pandemic, while need for processed meat soars.
Flexitarian motion ‘fails’
The percentage of adults restricting or not consuming meat dropped substantially in 2020, according to Mintel, with the COVID-19 pandemic playing a major role in the ‘momentary downturn’ of the flexitarian pattern.
The variety of Brits actively reducing or leaving out meat from their diet dropped from half (51%) of all customers in 2019 to simply four in 10 (41%) in 2020, noted the market insight firm.
At the same time, Mintel’s research study highlighted a dramatic boost in the number of Brits who acknowledged the impact that eating meat has on the environment. In 2018, 25%of Brits agreed that eating less meat is better for the environment. In 2020, this figure increased to 42%.
” Prior to the COVID-19 break out, the meat reduction pattern was acquiring substantial momentum. The big disturbance, unpredictability and tension triggered by the pandemic have caused a relaxation around some health- and ethics-driven routines amongst lots of customers,” kept in mind Edward Bergen, Global Food & Consume Analyst at Mintel.
” It is not unexpected that meat reduction has taken a short-term back seat, especially provided the increased desirability of familiar comfort food and that meat is seen to really deliver here.
” The long, hot summertime and an increased need to be outside more supercharged sales of sausages and burgers through a boost in chances for barbecues.”
Increased processed meat sales
However, processed meat sales did not only soar throughout the summertime. Mintel’s research revealed that sales of such products, including processed poultry and red meat primary meal components, spiked by 18%throughout2020 Today, the experts expect the marketplace to be worth ₤ 3.7 m.
Meat products to benefit from an uptick in scratch cooking and consuming in the house included breakfast and barbecue favourites, such as bacon ( 18%), sausages ( 20%) and hamburgers ( 26%).
As more people started to work from house, the marketplace insight company also noted a boost in processed meats ideal to at-home lunches, for example cooked piece meat and poultry. Ham observed a 9%increase throughout the year.
And as customers clambered to stock essential foods, the canned meat category also observed a renewal. In 2020, category sales– which had remained in decline recently– increased by 22%.
At the same time, over half (58%) of meat and poultry eaters said that meals that contain processed meat items are soothing.
The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA), which represents players in the British meat industry, does not anticipate these sales figures to drop post-pandemic.
” Retail sales are strong and we don’t anticipate this trend to change,” a BMPA spokesperson informed FoodNavigator. ” The general public have been eager to consume familiar, yummy and soothing foods throughout this past year and will continue to do so.
” Nevertheless, it is essential to note that figures will be rather skewed for as long as the foodservice sector is closed– bacon and sausages are a fine example of meat that is frequently eaten out-of-home on a regular day.”
Simply a momentary problem?
Nevertheless, Mintel’s experts presume the existing problem for the flexitarian motion is, in fact, only short-term, which post-pandemic, many customers will continue to reduce their meat intake.
The setback for the flexitarian motion is ‘likely to be really temporary’, said Bergen. ” As the shadow of the pandemic fades, its effect in the mid- and long-lasting are only going to make the advantages customers connect with eating less meat appear a lot more pertinent and essential.
” This includes those connecting to sustainability and to people’s financing, health and weight management. With that in mind, we anticipate a flurry of brand-new plant-based products that will continue to drive plant-based usage in a market which is driven by development and newness.”
At the same time, Bergen forecasts plant-based meat replacements– in addition to their rate– to come under greater analysis moving forward.
” Although lapsing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the meat decrease motion is expected to rebound. Meat replacements need to truly deliver on the perceived benefits of not eating meat to gain the rewards on this trend.”
The BMPA concurred with Bergen that the ‘health halo’ around meat replacements will come under greater examination this coming year, ” as customers start to look closely at their components and level of processing to make them”.
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