British pea consumption falls to 50-year low

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 10:32 · Archive

The average Briton now eats 37g of peas per week, down from 144g in 1975, according to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs data.

Pea consumption in the UK has fallen to a 50-year low, with the average Briton now eating 37g per week compared with 144g in 1975, according to data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Experts believe the decline is linked to changing food fashions, with trendier vegetables replacing peas as popular choices. However, nutritionists and dietitians are increasingly highlighting the vegetable's benefits. An eye-watering 90% of Brits fail to hit the recommended 30g of fibre a day, yet getting enough fibre has been linked to lower bowel cancer, dementia and heart disease risk, as well as better bowel movements.

Nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed told HuffPost UK that peas are cheap, accessible and last a long time. 'I always have a bag of peas in my freezer and they are a staple I tap into a good few times a week,' she said. Dr Carrie Ruxton, a dietitian, eats peas at least once a week in dishes such as Spanish omelette and kedgeree. Despite the fall in consumption over decades, peas rank sixth in overall vegetable popularity, with 83% of people holding a positive opinion of them, according to YouGov. Only 22% of generation Z associate peas with Britain, The Guardian reports.

How it is being reported

• More peas, please! 17 delicious ways to devour Britain’s most brilliant vegetableThey’re healthy, versatile, sustainable and available. Yet pea consumption in the UK is at a 50-year low. Here are the curries, dips, pasta dishes and even cakes that could turn all that around It’s not good news for the pea farmers: pea consumption in the UK has fallen to a 50-year low. According to data from Defra, the average Briton ate just 37g of peas per week in 2025 , down from 144g per week in 1975. Though a classic British staple, peas are not for everybody. Apparently only 22% of gen Z associate peas with Britain at all (which is patently ridiculous: 90% of the peas we consume in…The Guardian · 18 Oct, 10:00
• The £1.50 Veg That Packs A Big Fibre Punch, Yet Fewer People Are EatingPeas appear to be off the menu for plenty of Brits, with figures showing consumption has dropped to a 50-year low. Data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, reported by The Telegraph, found the average Brit ate 37g of peas a week last year, down from 144g eaten weekly in 1975. Experts believe it’s probably got something to do with the fact there are trendier vegetables to dish up, but nutritionists and dietitians are increasingly touting the health benefits of the humble pea. Given the price of food is rising, and a sizeable bag of frozen peas can be purchased from…HuffPost UK · 17 Oct, 08:00

In this story: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Charlotte Stirling-Reed · Carrie Ruxton · United Kingdom

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