Traditional Christmas pudding has made a big comeback as it has rocketed in popularity with UK families, according to a new report.
For the latest research shows that Christmas pudding sales surged by one million over the festive season, marking a turning point for the traditional dessert after years of decline.
In terms of individual puddings sold, High Street shoppers bought around one million more in 2022 than 2021, a rise of 2.7per cent year on year, according to data from analytics company Kantar.
With cost inflation continuing to push up the price of food and drink, overall value sales for the festive treat rose from £42 million in 2021 to £45 million in the past year, an increase of 7.3 per cent.
The increase means the traditional festive treat has made a big comeback, as Christmas pudding sales had fallen between 2017 and 2021.
The decline prompted some to question if the Christmas pudding was slowly falling out of fashion - however, this no longer seems to be the case.
Still the 'main dessert' for Christmas
The Grocery Gazette said the category has benefitted from new twists on the traditional recipe, with products on shelves including German discounter Aldi’s firecracker pudding that is infused with an orange and chilli flavour sauce, and a Caramelised Biscuit Christmas Pudding from big four grocer Sainsbury’s.
In contrast to the recent boom in puddings, mince pie sales declined in 2022, with six million fewer packs sold last year than in 2021, representing a 6.2 per cent decline.
Price rises made up for the decline in volume, however, as sales were up 12.4 per cent year on year, from £118 million in 2021 to £132 million in 2022.
“Far from falling out of favour, they [Christmas puddings] are still very much part of the Christmas festivities and are the main dessert served on the day,” said Kirstie Jamieson, UK marketing director at Valeo Foods.
“Monthly grocery sales were a whopping £1.1 billion higher in December versus 2021, breaching the £12 billion mark for the first time,” explained Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar.
He added: “Value sales are up significantly but grocery price inflation is the real driving factor behind this rather than increased purchasing.”