British classics including HP Sauce and Walkers crisps have been named among the sought-after foods loved by expats.
Recent migration statistics that revealed around 532,000 people emigrated from the UK in 2023, with over half of Britons this year now considering leaving the country for better work opportunities.
Expats living in Canada, Spain, Germany, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, France and the US have favoured different products, though one cereal brand came out on top in most.
Weetabix was crowned as the ‘Taste of Home’ with 78 percent of UK expats searching for the cereal worldwide, according to a study by grocery exporters at Britsuperstore.
The wheat-based cereal was the favourite in five countries and the second-most-loved British food in three others.
In order, the top five domestic food products most searched for by British ex-pats globally were:
- Weetabix
- Tunnocks Tea Cakes
- Heinz Salad Cream
- HP Sauce
- Kingsmill Bread
All commonplace in UK supermarkets, these products are much harder to find abroad, though some shops do have a “British aisle”.
As for Weetabix, the brand exports to more than 80 countries around the world from its Northamptonshire mills. One fan of the cereal shared on Reddit that “it’s uncommon in the US and you will only really see it in health food or import shops”, noting that the closest equivalent would be Shredded Wheat which is now owned by an American company called Post.
By country, the favourite imported foods varied, though HP Sauce staked its claim in the ranking by appearing in most of the top three spots.
Expats living in Canada search for Weetabix the most, followed by HP Sauce then Polos – the delicious mints with the hole in the middle.
Those residing in Ireland long for Thornton’s chocolate, Weetabix and Walkers crisps, while Britons in Germany search for Weetabix, Nestlé products and McCain foods the most.
In France, expats ranked Weetabix their favourite import followed by HP Sauce and Walkers Crisps.
As for the US, Britons abroad search for Weetabix above all else, closely followed by HP Sauce and Thornton’s Chocolate. A similar ranking can be found in Spain, with the wheat cereal and brown sauce at the top and Tunnock’s Tea Cakes – (made from soft marshmallow on a biscuit base fully coated in real milk chocolate) placing third.
On the other side of the world in Australia, expats ranked the same foods in the top three spots as Spain. In New Zealand, Britons share similar cravings to those residing in the US, and long for Weetabix, HP Sauce and Thornton’s Chocolate.
Searches are the same in South Africa, with the British cereal, brown sauce and chocolate brand being the top three favourites.
