Quantities of fruit and vegetables purchased in the UK show no significant change since 2001-02, according to Family Food, a report on the 2004-05 expenditure and food survey carried out by Defra.
The survey found that although the level of purchases of fruit and vegetables purchased from the 1970s up to 1997rose, it has been static since then. However the rise in consumption is mainly observable in fresh and processed fruit while purchases of vegetables appear to be lower than they were in 1974.
In 2004-05 consumption was an average of 2,274g per person per week, roughly equivalent to 3.7 portions per person after wastage - still short of the government’s 5-A-Day target.
These survey estimates are now likely to be used by government to monitor trends in consumption in support of its 5-A-Day policy.
The report also shows that consumers are influenced by the prices of produce. In 2004-05, the overall price of fruit was 4.1 per cent lower and the overall price of vegetables was 2.5 per cent lower than the previous year. People spent on average £1.82 per week on vegetables and £1.67 on fruit. So while prices were lower that year, the amount spent was higher, indicating that consumers were purchasing produce of a higher value than previously.
Meanwhile, fresh potato purchases were five per cent lower in 2004-05 than in 2003-04 and purchases of processed potato products were 4.6 per cent lower.
The results give a clear message to the trade about the way forward.
“The recently published information reinforces the need and the opportunity for the Eat in Colour campaign,” Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium.
Geographically too there are wide variations: quantities of fruit and vegetables purchases were highest in England and lowest n Northern Ireland while purchases of vegetables were lowest in north-west England and highest in south-west England. Eastern England had the highest purchase rate of fruit while north-eastern England had the lowest. Scottish households purchased the most soft drinks. And overall there was little variation between the countries of the UK in expenditure on food outside the home at roughly 30 per cent of the overall expenditure on food and drink.
The report is available to view on-line at statistics.defra.gov.uk
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