“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 twelve months.”

A staggering 25% of Brits have cut down on some form of animal products since the first lockdown, according to a survey conducted by The Vegan Society.

The latest findings mirror the results of a similar survey conducted by it during the first lockdown last year. The 2020 survey discovered that 1 in 5 Brits had cut down on meat consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic while 15% had reduced their dairy/egg intake over the lockdown period.

The new survey was conducted through Attest in April 2021. It surveyed  1,000 respondents and focused on changing consumer habits over the last 12 months. 

20% of respondents said they reduced the amount of meat while 12% slashed their eggs and dairy intake.

Health, environmental, and ethical reasons

The survey also revealed that 35% of those who reduced animal products did so out of concern for their health while the environment was the primary motivation for 30% said and 21% said it was down to animal rights issues.

In addition, 32% said they were thinking more about their personal impact on the planet over the lockdown period.

According to the organisation, this means that 86% of people that cut back on animal products during the lockdown did it for the same three primary motivations people give in their decision to go vegan – health, environment, and animals. 

It further added that only 8% chose meat and dairy alternatives because animal products were too expensive or not being available in shops (5%).

Buying choices

The data on what food products people bought showed that 54%  purchased meat alternatives for the first time during the lockdown. 

A staggering 78% of those who tried vegan meat alternatives, said they will continue to buy them again in future. 

When it comes to dairy alternatives, 36% of respondents tried oat milk for the first time and of those 67% said they’ll purchase it again after lockdown ends.

 The figures were even better for those who had specifically said they were reducing their dairy intake.  43% of them bought oat milk for the first time and 69% of them revealed they plan to keep buying it post-lockdown. 

Meanwhile, for vegan staple purchases,  32% revealed that they bought pulses, including lentil and chickpeas for the first time in the last 12 months and of those, 74% said they’ll get them again in the future. This was the highest percentage for future repeated purchase.

‘No surprise’

Commenting on the results, 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 twelve 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.”

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