Over 30% of sandwiches are made with chicken, said the BSA. “It’s a very versatile ingredient and can be served in many ways to suit [various] pallets.”
Cheese ranked second at 13% and ham at 11%, while bacon sandwiches were among the least popular at 5%.
Bacon sandwiches least popular
The data, which was published to launch the new www.LoveSarnies.com smartphone app this week, said wealthier consumers (68%) were more likely to buy sandwiches than those on a lower income. The average shopper bought 55.1 sandwiches a year, which is just over one per week.
Last year, the sandwich market was valued at £7.2bn and more than 3bn were sold – a rise of 2% in value and 6% in volume.
Nearly 300,000t of bread is used each year in the sandwich industry, which is the weight equivalent of 39,286 double decker busses, and if laid end-to-end would reach to the moon and halfway back, the data showed.
300,000t of bread
Square sandwich bread is still the most popular carrier, with 57% of consumers sticking with it. However, rolls and baps hold 24% of the market and wraps are growing in popularity with 5% of the market – up 1% on last year.
The average sandwich costs £2.07 and commercial sandwiches account for a quarter of the market.
More than 300,000 people are employed in the UK’s sandwich industry and 32% of consumers buy their sandwiches from sandwich bars, which were the most popular outlet, the data showed.
Supermarkets accounted for 10% of sandwich sales, coffee bars 11% and staff canteens 13%.
Sandwiches in figures:
- 25–34 year-olds account for one third of the market
- 2.67bn sandwiches are made for lunch boxes
- 55% of sandwiches eaten at home are consumed at lunch time
- 14% of sandwiches are eaten at breakfast
- The most expensive place to buy a sandwich is in London