Annual food consumption declines for the first time in Australia

KATHMANDU: For the first time on record, total food consumption in Australia has seen a decline, according to recent figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

In the 12 months leading up to June 2023, Australians purchased a total of 14.8 million tonnes of food and non-alcoholic beverages, marking a 1.9 percent decrease from the previous year’s 15.1 million tonnes.

This downturn represents a significant shift in consumption patterns since the ABS began tracking data in 2018-2019.

Notably, every major food group experienced a decrease in apparent consumption.

Vegetables saw the largest decline, with a reduction of 14 grams per person per day, followed by fruits which decreased by 12 grams.

Even staple items like milk and non-alcoholic beverages experienced a decrease in consumption, indicating a broad-based shift in dietary habits among Australians.

The reasons behind this decline could vary, including factors such as changing consumer preferences, economic conditions, and shifts in lifestyle choices.

This shift in consumption patterns highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and analysis of food consumption trends, both for public health and economic purposes.

It also underscores the need for stakeholders in the food industry to adapt and innovate in response to changing consumer behaviors and preferences.