The research, on 2,000 British adults, was commissioned online in January 2020 by polling firm Ginger Research on behalf of the Mushroom Bureau.
As many as one in 20 British adults believe potatoes grow on trees. Potatoes have been grown in the UK since the 18th century and the average Brit consumes more than 100Kg every year.
The research also revealed one in 20 believe pineapples are grown in the UK while a ‘staggering’ 37% consider apples to be a tropical fruit.
In total 88% of British adults admitted to having no idea about where the contents of their fruit bowl comes from. Only 19% of Brits have ever once checked to see where the food they buy is actually grown.
A spokesperson from the Mushroom Bureau, said: “This study highlights just how little many people know about where the food they routinely buy is from, revealing Brits know where less than a quarter of the food in their fridge comes from. But, interestingly, it also shows that - when given the choice - consumers would choose local over imports.”
Despite the lack of knowledge about food provenance, nearly two-thirds of Brits (63%) say they are making more of an effort to reduce their food miles. The study also found 37% of Brits said they would be prepared to pay more to buy food that is produced locally.