Australian Food Consumption Declines for the First Time on Record
Source: The DairyNews
Australia has witnessed a notable decline in its annual food consumption, marking the first such decrease on record.
According to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australians purchased a total of 14.8 million tonnes of food and non-alcoholic beverages in the 12 months leading up to June 2023, reflecting a 1.9 percent decrease from the previous 12-month period's 15.1 million tonnes. This downturn represents the inaugural decline in total apparent consumption of food and non-alcoholic beverages since the ABS commenced tracking in 2018-19.
The decline extended across all major food groups, with vegetables experiencing the most significant reduction of 14 grams per person per day, followed by fruit, which decreased by 12 grams, and milk and non-alcoholic beverages.
Paul Atyeo, spokesperson for health statistics at ABS, highlighted the shift, noting that daily vegetable consumption dropped from 200 grams per day in 2021-22 to 186 grams per day in 2022-23. Similarly, fruit consumption decreased from 150 grams to 138 grams per day, while milk products declined from 278 to 267 grams.
In a separate report published in July 2023, ABS data revealed a 7.5 percent increase in food and non-alcoholic beverage prices over the year leading to June, with dairy and related products experiencing the highest annual inflation rate at 15.2 percent.
Comparing to 2018-19 levels, per capita consumption of cow's milk, bread, and fruit juice in Australia has declined by five to eight percent. Conversely, consumption of potato chips surged by 16 percent, and chocolate consumption increased by 10 percent during the same period, indicating notable shifts in consumption patterns.
The decline extended across all major food groups, with vegetables experiencing the most significant reduction of 14 grams per person per day, followed by fruit, which decreased by 12 grams, and milk and non-alcoholic beverages.
Paul Atyeo, spokesperson for health statistics at ABS, highlighted the shift, noting that daily vegetable consumption dropped from 200 grams per day in 2021-22 to 186 grams per day in 2022-23. Similarly, fruit consumption decreased from 150 grams to 138 grams per day, while milk products declined from 278 to 267 grams.
In a separate report published in July 2023, ABS data revealed a 7.5 percent increase in food and non-alcoholic beverage prices over the year leading to June, with dairy and related products experiencing the highest annual inflation rate at 15.2 percent.
Comparing to 2018-19 levels, per capita consumption of cow's milk, bread, and fruit juice in Australia has declined by five to eight percent. Conversely, consumption of potato chips surged by 16 percent, and chocolate consumption increased by 10 percent during the same period, indicating notable shifts in consumption patterns.
