One in five Brits have cut down on meat during pandemic, survey finds

A survey conducted by The Vegan Society has found that one in five Brits have cut down on meat consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey also found 15 percent have reduced their dairy/egg intake over the lockdown period.

Out of those who have reduced their meat or dairy consumption, 41 percent stated they did so due to their preferred product not being available on the supermarket shelves, while 43 percent chose to reduce their meat consumption out of concern for health, environmental or animal rights reasons.

The cost of meat products was also noted by respondents, with 15 percent opting for alternatives due to the price of meat in the supermarkets, which is said to highlight how financial pressures are contributing towards a shift to plant-based alternatives.

The survey also revealed that consumers are trying products that they would not have before the COVID-19 outbreak such as:

• Almond milk (42 percent)
• Meat alternatives such as vegan sausages and burgers (38 percent)
• Soya milk (36 percent)
• Pulses such as lentils and chickpeas (34 percent).

Half of those who have tried vegan meat alternatives such as vegan burgers and sausages said that they will keep on purchasing them after the COVID-19 lockdown.

54 percent and 42 percent of those who have tried soy milk and almond milk respectively said that they will make them a regular purchase once the lockdown has been lifted.

Matt Turner, spokesperson for The Vegan Society, said: “After the unprecedented success of Veganuary and the swathes of new vegan products hitting the shelves in recent months, it’s no surprise that many consumers have made the switch to plant-based alternatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, whether that be for convenience, cost, or concern for their own wellbeing, the environment and the rights of animals.

“Many Brits are trying these alternatives for the first time and enjoying them so much that they intend on keeping them in their shopping basket when we return to normal times.

“They are purchasing items that they wouldn’t have given a second look a few months ago, but are now seeing these brilliant vegan alternatives as the new normal.”