Fruit consumption in the UK is rising

Fruit consumption in the UK is rising

UK consumption of fruit appears to be on the increase, according to new European figures just out - but consumers are still falling short of their recommended 5 A DAY.

The latest statistics from Freshfel’s consumption monitor for 2007 show that although fruit uptake has risen on 2006, vegetable consumption has declined.

The Freshfel Consumption Monitor 2008 provides data on trends in the production, trade, supply and estimated per capita consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables across the 27 EU member states, as well as information covering Norway, Switzerland and the US for 2007.

UK production of fruit and vegetables decreased in 2007: for fruit by four per cent, with a total of 336,600 tonnes, and for vegetables by 20 per cent, with a total of 2.37 million tonnes. However, UK fruit production was 14 per cent above the average for the previous five years. In contrast, UK vegetable production was 13 per cent below the average of the past five years.

Imports have increased, by one per cent for fruit and by three per cent for vegetables. Overall fruit exports decreased by 17 per cent - however, fruit exports to countries outside the EU increased significantly in 2007, in particular apples and pears. Vegetable exports increased by six per cent in the same period.

The Fresh Produce Consortium is a member of Freshfel. Ceo Nigel Jenney said the latest figures were disheartening: “With rising obesity levels in the UK and across Europe, particularly among young children, we cannot be complacent about the efforts needed by both industry and government to encourage people to enjoy a healthy diet. It is disappointing to see further confirmation that we are not even meeting the minimum recommendation for a healthy diet in the UK. This is why we are calling on the government to take advantage of additional EU funding available to extend the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme.”

Compared with other European countries, the UK ranked 18th for estimated consumption of fruit and vegetables in grams per person per day. The UK ranked fourth in terms of increased consumption of fruit, and ninth for consumption of vegetables in 2007.

Topics