Facts about Bread in the UK

Bread is bought by 99% of British households, and nearly 12 million loaves are sold each day.   Bread is an excellent source of carbohydrates, B vitamins, protein and calcium; white bread is a major source of calcium in the diet.  Bread is also one of the nation’s main sources of fibre.

Speciality Breads (such as baguettes, focaccia, ciabatta, naan, pitta, rye breads, corn breads, organic breads and flavoured breads) comprise one of the fastest growing sectors.  Ethnic products such as pitta and naan accounts for 40% of sales and are continuing to grow.  Established garlic bread that accounts for over a third of this sector has also seen a revival in unit sales where up by 7.1% in the latest year as a new premium varieties are launched.  

As a change in lifestyle has created a demand for convenience and versatility, the French now import sliced, wrapped bread from the UK. Not only is bread healthy and tasty, but also comparing average UK bread prices with those in other countries shows us what good value UK shoppers get.  In the London, bread sells at on average £1.12p per kilo, in San Francisco, this figure is £3.08, in Paris £3.43, in Milan £2.08 and in Munich £2.05.

Bread - still the nation’s favourite

Bread remains one of the UK’s favourite foods, with 99% of households buying bread (source: Mintel, February 2004). White Bread accounts for 70% of the bread we eat. The impact of holidays abroad and a desire to be more adventurous with food has, however, led people to extend their tastes and purchases to more exotic and continental types of bread.  The profusion of products available on the high street (from sandwich wraps to pitta pockets and bagels), the introduction of premium sliced bread and a greater recognition that bread is good for you have all contributed to the increased demand and interest in different types of bread.

Bakery Snacks (Morning Goods)

Morning goods are so called because whilst bread was traditionally baked in a hot oven during the night, morning goods were baked after bread in the morning when the oven was cooling.   Morning goods include products such as rolls and baps, scones, teacakes, buns and other fruited products, muffins, crumpets and pikelets, pancakes and griddle scones, waffles, potato cakes, croissants, brioches, and bagels.

The morning goods sector has grown considerably in recent years. This is partly because the goods, which, we traditionally ate at teatime, have become popular snacks, which are eaten throughout the day. Also, certain goods that were only previously available seasonally (such as hot cross buns and mince pies) are now available all year round.  The total bakery snacks market accounts for 26% by volume and more than one third by value of the total bread market (source: Federation of Bakers).

Bread out and about

Although household bread consumption remains relatively static, consumption of bread outside the home has grown, as evidenced by the sandwich market which has grown by 50% in the last three years, and is now worth £3.5bn.

Sandwiches are still the top choice for lunch.  The homemade sandwich continues to predominate as the most popular weekly lunch option and it is eaten by two thirds of adults

The popularity of the burger has ensured the market for burger buns has also continued to grow. As the image of bread as a healthy food is reinforced and the variety available expands, it is increasingly being seen as a tasty and even trendy part of the eating out experience in restaurants around the country.