Pickled onion sales value rises by 12% in the UK
In the United Kingdom, the value of pickled onion sales increased by 12% year on year in the 12 weeks leading up to early August. This exceeds the growth rate of the overall grocery market, which stood at 4%, The Guardian reports.
According to analytics company Worldpanel by Numerator, around 8.5 million British households bought pickled onions over the year. In the most recent period, the number of such buyers increased by approximately 300,000, while the number of shopping trips for this product rose by more than 550,000. Higher prices also contributed to the increase in sales value, but demand is strengthening as well.
Pickled products as an ingredient
Pickled products in Britain are increasingly used not only as an accompaniment to dishes but also as a standalone ingredient. James Goodyear, the chef of the Michelin-starred Gordon Ramsay High restaurant, linked interest in pickling to changing diner tastes, the popularity of fermentation on social media, interest in gut health, and restaurants’ efforts to reduce food surplus.
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Big Brine, the first major festival dedicated to pickling and fermentation, is launching in London this weekend. Event visitor Molly Scanlan said she had noticed new brands and product formats in supermarkets, including single-serving packs of gherkins for snacking.
Category growth and new formats
Online retailer Ocado recorded annual growth of 30% in the category of pickles, gherkins and olives, while fresh pickled and fermented products grew by 16%. Sales of individual products increased much faster: organic ginger and lemon sauerkraut by 393%, Opies cocktail gherkins by 305%, Baxters sliced beetroot by 246%, and Epicure spicy crinkle-cut pickled cucumbers by 242%.
The trend also extends to beverages: pickle-flavoured Yew sparkling water has appeared in the United Kingdom. According to the brand, during its first week of sales at Planet Organic, it became the retailer’s best-selling non-alcoholic drink, surpassing even bottled water.
