92 Percent of Vegan Meals in the U.K. Are Eaten by Non-Vegans, Survey Finds

92 Percent of Vegan Meals in the U.K. Are Eaten by Non-Vegans, Survey Finds

  • Rachel Krantz
  • Rachel Krantz

We already know that veganism has been exploding for years in the U.K.—a 2016 Ipsos MORI poll of 10,000 people found that Britain’s vegan population had increased nearly fourfold over a decade. Now a new report finds that plant-based eating is more popular with non-vegans too.

According to data from the market insight company Kantar, 92 percent of plant-based meals consumed last year in the U.K. were eaten by non-vegans. These consumers choose to eat plant-based meals about three times a week. The report states:  

As this group of consumers grows, it is important to consider the motivations of the consumer. Crucially, most plant-based consumers are not vegans but those who are choosing to somewhat reduce their meat and dairy intake.

The U.K. is also a world leader in vegan food launches, according to market expert Mintel, which found that one in six food products released in 2018 carried a vegan or “no animal ingredients” claim—pretty impressive.

Another recent survey found that nearly 3 million people in the U.K. would try to go vegan in 2019. Roughly 3 percent of the population already identifies as vegan. Luckily, this shift is also happening elsewhere: There were five times as many vegans in America in 2017 than in 2014; France saw a 24 percent increase in vegan and vegetarian product sales in 2018; and Australia had a 92 percent increase in vegan food launches between 2014 and 2016.

These dietary shifts go a long way toward reducing suffering. Globally, billions of animals are raised and killed for food each year. Cows, pigs, chickens, fish, and other farmed animals are subjected to unthinkable cruelties: crowded, filthy cages; horrific mutilations; torturous transport; and violent slaughter.

If you’d like to do your part to reduce the suffering of animals, help the environment, and protect your health, simply choose to eat plant-based food. Order a free Vegetarian Starter Guide today, and check out our Pinterest page for thousands of plant-based recipe ideas.