United Kingdom Peanut Market Overview, 2030

The peanut market in the UK relies entirely on imports and emphasizes value-added processing, with peanut butter quickly becoming the most rapidly growing spread category in recent times. Growth in the market is fueled by increasing consumer interest in plant-based proteins, healthier snacks, and versatile items for the pantry. Peanut butter attracts various demographics due to its nutrition, being rich in protein, healthy fats, and vital micronutrients, and its ability to be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Changes in trade following Brexit have transformed sourcing methods. Although Argentina and the United States continue to be major suppliers of raw peanuts, importers and processors have started looking towards sources like India and African nations to reduce risks related to tariffs, logistics, and phytosanitary issues in the UK’s new trade framework. This transition has led to increased oversight and enhanced assurance programs from suppliers to comply with the standards set by the UK Food Standards Agency FSA concerning aflatoxin levels. In retail, supermarkets, discount stores, and online retailers have widened their range of private-label peanut butter products alongside brand-name options, with new innovations in reduced-sugar, no-added-salt, organic, and flavored varieties enhancing their market appeal. Craft-style and premium products, often emphasizing clean labels and transparent origins, are becoming popular among health-focused and younger shoppers. The category also gains from the rising interest in vegetarian and vegan diets in the UK, positioning peanut butter as a nutrient-rich substitute for dairy spreads. While other peanut uses, including roasted snacks, candy additives, and limited uses in feed or oil, still exist, the continual double-digit growth rate of peanut butter exceeds these segments, establishing it as the main product in the industry.

According to the research report, ""UK Peanut Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the UK Peanut market is anticipated to add to more than USD 40 Million by 2025–30. This growth is fueled by consumer interest in protein-rich, plant-sourced foods that fit with flexitarian, vegetarian, and vegan lifestyles. Peanut butter has evolved from being just a breakfast item to a multifunctional ingredient used in smoothies, baking, and savory meals. Various plant-based snack types from roasted and seasoned peanuts to protein bars made with peanuts are rapidly gaining traction in both retail and online markets. This expansion is supported by advancements in clean-label products, lower sugar options, and enhanced formulations that attract health-focused and younger consumers. A major aspect of the market is regulatory compliance; the Food Standards Agency FSA enforces allergen labeling requirements that mandate peanuts classified as one of the UK's 14 major allergens to be highlighted clearly on ingredient lists for pre-packaged foods. Allergen information must also be available for non-pre-packaged goods at the point of sale, ensuring consumer safety and transparency, especially given increased public awareness following significant allergen-related incidents. UK High Fat, Salt and Sugar HFSS nutrient profiling system influences product development and marketing strategies. Foods deemed HFSS are subject to restrictions regarding their placement in store and specific advertising avenues. This drives manufacturers to reformulate peanut products to enhance nutrient ratings while maintaining flavor and texture. Retailers, particularly those in the supermarket and discount sectors, are taking advantage of private-label lines that are competitively priced and compliant with regulations to offer products that satisfy both customer preferences and legal standards.

The peanut supply chain in the UK by product type is divided into Raw Peanuts and Processed Peanuts depends completely on imports, as local farming isn't possible due to the weather conditions. Shipments come from important countries like Argentina, India, and a few African nations, as well as the United States, and they arrive at specific Border Control Posts that are authorized for high-risk food products and animal feed. The Food Standards Agency and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs share responsibility for monitoring this process. Their inspections include checks on documents, identities, and the products themselves. Shipments labeled as high-risk, especially those with a past of aflatoxin issues, undergo extra sampling and testing. This is in accordance with UK legal standards and follows Regulation EU 2019/1793, ensuring they meet safe limits for mycotoxins before they can be sold. Once they are approved, raw peanuts are directed into two main processing areas. The first area is for snack production, where local processors roast, salt, season, or cover peanuts, creating products like honey-roasted, chili-flavored, or chocolate-covered versions for retail and food service. These items must comply with the FSA's allergen labeling rules, which list peanuts as one of the 14 primary allergens in the UK, and also adhere to the UKHFSS nutrition profiling where needed. The second area focuses on spread creation, primarily peanut butter, which comes in smooth, crunchy, and flavored options. This process includes roasting, grinding, and mixing, often done under private-label agreements with supermarkets and discount stores, as well as branded products.

In the United Kingdom, peanuts by applications are divided into Food & Beverages, Animal Feed and Industrial Peanut Oil for Biofuel, Cosmetics. Peanut butter, available in smooth, crunchy, and flavored styles, is central to the spreads market and is created under both brand names and store labels for supermarkets, discount retailers, and online shops. In confectionery, the uses span from chocolate-covered peanuts and brittles to components in cereal and protein bars, often marketed as tasty yet high in protein. These items must follow the Food Standards Agency FSA regulations for allergen labeling, which mandates that peanuts regarded as one of the UK’s 14 key allergens be distinctly noted on ingredient lists for packaged products and be made known for unpackaged items at the point of purchase. Nutritional information and, when applicable, UKHFSS nutrient profiling play a role in both the formulation and marketing strategies. Aside from human consumption, peanut meal a protein-rich by-product of oil extraction holds a small position in animal feed, occasionally used for chickens or specific livestock feed. Its limited uptake can be attributed to competition from soybean meal, cost factors, and allergen control measures in feed manufacturing. The use of feed is governed by retained EU hygiene legislation for animal feed, ensuring full traceability of production. Peanut oil in the UK remains limited, primarily produced by refining crude oil that is imported. While a portion is used in cooking, a smaller segment caters to the cosmetics industry, where peanut oil serves as a moisturizer in creams, lotions, and massage oils. The cosmetic applications are regulated under UK REACH Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals, alongside the UK Cosmetics Regulation, mandating the registration of ingredients, safety evaluations, and labeling requirements.

UK peanuts market by distribution channel is divided into B2C retail and B2B wholesale both influenced by strict Food Standards Agency FSA allergen guidelines. Within the B2C sector, supermarkets, discount stores, and convenience shops lead the way, providing a broad assortment of peanut items ranging from roasted treats and chocolate-covered options to peanut butter spreads. Private labels from significant retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, and Lidl represent a substantial portion, allowing for competitive pricing, quick product development, and customized recipes for different customer segments. All pre-packaged items must adhere to FSA allergen labeling standards, mandating that peanuts recognized as one of the UK’s 14 key allergens be clearly highlighted in the ingredient lists, while non-pre-packaged products sold in convenience formats must display allergen details at the point of purchase. The B2B sector is fueled by wholesalers and importers who provide raw, roasted, or semi-processed peanuts to bakeries, food manufacturers, and contract processors that create private-label products for retail. Bakeries utilize peanuts in items such as cookies, flapjacks, and cereal bars, while producers use them in snacks, confectioneries, and spreads. Wholesalers also cater to foodservice businesses, ensuring steady supply in bulk quantities. In this sector, managing allergens is crucial suppliers are required to have strong systems for segregation, cleaning, and traceability to avoid cross-contamination, with the one step back, one step forward approach allowing for quick recalls when necessary. Both sectors are linked, as numerous private-label peanut products available in B2C retail are sourced from processors supplied by B2B channels driven by retailers. The fusion of quality requirements, adherence to FSA allergen standards, and effective wholesale logistics guarantees that peanuts whether they are headed to a supermarket shelf, a local store, or a bakery’s production line fulfill the UK’s strict safety, labeling, and traceability regulations while ensuring continuous availability and competitive market pricing.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Peanut Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type
• Raw Peanuts
• Processed Peanuts

By applications
• Food & Beverages
• Animal Feed
• Industrial (Peanut Oil for Biofuel, Cosmetics)

By Distribution Channel
• B2C
• B2B Show more