Record Banana Sales in the UK Reflect Growing Trend

The United Kingdom is experiencing a remarkable surge in banana consumption, with demand for this tropical fruit hitting new heights. The popularity of homemade smoothies and milkshakes has significantly contributed to this growth.

According to recent data from Kantar Worldpanel, UK banana sales increased by 70 million units last year, pushing the market’s value close to £700 million.

This surge equates to an average of over 80 bananas purchased per adult in the UK last year, confirming bananas as the country’s top fruit. If aligned end to end, these bananas would encircle the planet approximately 16 times.

Tesco reported an additional 15 million bananas sold last year alone, enough to span the distance from John O’Groats to Land’s End more than six times. The retailer highlighted that growing health awareness around bananas has positively impacted sales, bolstered by the fruit’s versatility as a foundational ingredient in smoothies, milkshakes, and baking. In conjunction with this, there has been a notable rise in blender sales.

Bananas are a powerhouse of nutrition, boasting potassium which supports heart health and aids in blood pressure control, alongside being rich in magnesium and vitamins B6 and C. Their high fiber content also promotes digestive well-being.

Dan Bentley, a banana buyer for Tesco, noted, “Bananas have never been more popular due to their nutritional benefits and adaptability in cooking, baking, and beverage preparation.”

This trend coincides with a remarkable increase in blender sales, amounting to nearly £500 million last year in the UK. The UK now represents approximately a third of the European blender market, as reported by Cognitive Market Research, which forecasted annual sales growth exceeding 10 percent over the next five years, driven by the demand for smoothies, soups, and sauces.

The rise in banana consumption is also attributed to social media influencers. A blueberry banana bread recipe by London nutritionist Emily English garnered over 100 million views in the past year. Additionally, TikTok influencer Smoothie_guy’s videos, which frequently feature bananas, have amassed tens of millions of views.

Other popular food influencers who incorporate bananas into their recipes include Carleigh Bodrug, Holly Jade, and Adina Akhmetova, collectively attracting millions of followers. Akhmetova’s TikTok video demonstrating caramelized bananas on peanut butter toast has nearly two million views.

However, the soaring popularity of bananas has raised concerns about food waste, with over one million bananas disposed of daily according to the food waste charity Wrap, primarily due to their tendency to bruise and ripen rapidly.

In response, Tesco has introduced a new line of “ripen at home” bananas with a shelf life of roughly four days, allowing consumers to manage their shopping more effectively. These bananas will be packaged with clear labeling and sold at 78p for five, which aligns with the price of their ripe counterparts.

Bentley stated, “We recognize that bananas can ripen quickly. By providing customers with an option for a ‘longer shelf life’ banana, we hope to empower them to shop wisely for the week, ultimately helping reduce waste at home.”

Banana and coconut smoothie recipe:

100g coconut yogurt, 3 tablespoons of milk, ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric, 3cm piece of fresh ginger (peeled), 2 teaspoons of baobab powder (optional), 1 ripe banana, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of oats, Juice of half a lemon

Add the coconut yogurt and milk to a blender, then incorporate the turmeric, ginger, and baobab powder (if using). Includes the remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth.

Source: BBC Good Food