Snacking is resilient. Despite barriers like consumers facing increased food costs and many being more concerned about the health impacts of their foods, snacking remains as popular as ever. The UK snack market was valued at over three billion pounds in 2023. Among domestically manufactured snacks, chocolate covered biscuits or cookies represent the largest sales category.
Among salty snacks, chips or crisps are a perennial favorite. In 2022, consumers purchased about 66 grams of potato chips (commonly referred to as crisps in the UK) per person per week. This represented a growth of nearly 18 percent compared to 2017. This trend is reflected even more strongly in expenditure on potato chips, where it has risen 30 percent in the same time. Some of this can be attributable to rising food costs, but there's no doubt that potato chips remain a popular snack option.
While some categories of snacks have faired better than others in the last few years, it’s safe to say that snacking remains deeply popular in the United Kingdom. It’s hard to see what could deter consumer cravings for the category after surviving all the recent upheaval. While appealing to new trends, like healthy eating, may help grow the category, consumers aren’t abandoning the staples any time soon.
Sweet or salty?
Many people have either a preference for sweet snacks, like candies and chocolates, or salty snacks, such as pretzels, crackers, or chips. In 2020/21, consumption of chocolate per person per week peaked as consumers were looking for solace during the pandemic. When it comes to consumption of biscuits, the sweet and chocolate varieties are far more popular, with people consuming them at four to five times the rate as that of savory biscuits.Among salty snacks, chips or crisps are a perennial favorite. In 2022, consumers purchased about 66 grams of potato chips (commonly referred to as crisps in the UK) per person per week. This represented a growth of nearly 18 percent compared to 2017. This trend is reflected even more strongly in expenditure on potato chips, where it has risen 30 percent in the same time. Some of this can be attributable to rising food costs, but there's no doubt that potato chips remain a popular snack option.
Export of British snacks
UK snacks are not only enjoyed by Brits. Many snacks and products are exported worldwide from the UK. For example, 709 million British pounds worth of chocolate and confectionery were exported to the EU alone in 2023. An additional 365 million British pounds worth was sent to non-EU countries. In contrast, UK potato chips exports took a big hit due to Brexit and have been slow to recover. Exports declined by over 40 percent from 2020 to 2021 and have increased by only 10 percent since then. On the other hand, imports of potato chips have grown rapidly in the same period, increasing by 67 percent.While some categories of snacks have faired better than others in the last few years, it’s safe to say that snacking remains deeply popular in the United Kingdom. It’s hard to see what could deter consumer cravings for the category after surviving all the recent upheaval. While appealing to new trends, like healthy eating, may help grow the category, consumers aren’t abandoning the staples any time soon.
