The local food movement is focused on consuming products that were grown or produced within a short distance from where they are being sold. Local food offers an alternative to globally produced food that is shipped long distances. The
has been on the rise and reached a new high from 2021 onwards. Some 58 percent of all food consumed had a UK origin from 2021 to 2023. Fresh food also makes up the largest share of
. Meat, dairy products, and vegetables are forecast to be the top three product segments in terms of revenue in 2030.
Opinions on local produce
Compared to some of their European neighbors, purchasing food produced in their own country was not of very high importance for survey respondents from Great Britain. Some 54 percent of respondents from Great Britain
preferred purchasing local produce. Italians were the most likely to prefer purchasing local foods. However, 67 percent of respondents during a recent survey had either a very or somewhat
positive opinion of British agriculture. This is an increase of five percent compared to the previous year. Despite consumers having a more positive opinion of British agriculture in general, buying British produce appears to be more important to younger shoppers in the UK. Over half of survey respondents aged between 18 and 34 stated that they
always buy British produce, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish. This dipped to just around one-third for older shoppers.
Fresh food in the UK
The overall food market in the UK has experienced some turmoil in recent years; product shortages and soaring prices have become the norm. Fresh food has also been impacted; the
consumer price index (CPI) of fruit in the UK reached a high of 137.7 points in February 2025. The
CPI of vegetables also reached new highs in recent months. In response to rising prices, purchasing habits are changing among UK shoppers. Almost one-third of consumers recently stated that they are
purchasing less fresh fruit and vegetables as a result of inflation. Despite price worries, consumers are still throwing away a fair share of fresh food at home.
Potatoes, bread, and broccoli were at the highest risk of being thrown away by consumers in the UK.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no
liability for the information given being complete or correct.
Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date
data than referenced in the text.
