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Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Food consumption

2004

Canadians continue to lay off their veggies, but they are reaching for more fresh fruit, according to the latest data on food consumption.

Per capita consumption of fresh vegetables fell for the third consecutive year in 2004, hitting its lowest level since 1992.

On average, Canadians consumed 74.8 kg of fresh vegetables last year, down from 75.7 kg in 2003. Even consumption of processed vegetables, including canned and frozen varieties, fell from 15.8 kg to 15.1 kg.

Canada's favourite vegetable, potatoes, many of them eaten as french fries or chips, accounted for half of the decline in vegetable consumption. Consumption of potatoes has been trending down for three years.

Yet, other Canadian staples such as onions, lettuce and carrots are also trending lower.

On the other hand, each Canadian on average ate 37.6 kg of fresh fruits, up from 37.1 kg. Apples, bananas and oranges remained the fruit of preference, accounting for nearly half of all fresh fruit eaten.

Tropical and foreign fruits are still making inroads into diets. Prior to 1988, quantities of guavas and mangos bought in Canada were too small to be counted. Last year, they accounted for over a half a kilogram in our diet.

Consumption of pineapples has doubled since 1999 to 800 grams per person.

Juice consumption slipped for the second consecutive year. On average, Canadians each drank 24.9 litres of juice in 2004, down from 25.0 litres. Orange juice was the preferred beverage, accounting for half of all juice consumed, followed by apple juice, a distant second.

Overall use of oils and fats continued to rise, reaching 23.6 kg from 23.0 kg the previous year. Much of these products are in the form of salad oils and shortening, used in salad dressings, deep-fried products and baked goods.

Available on CANSIM: tables 002-0010, 002-0011 and 002-0019.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 3403, 3404, 3407, 3430 and 3475.

The 2004 issue of Food Statistics, Vol. 4, no. 2 (21-020-XIE, free) is now available online. From the Our products and services page, under Browse our Internet publications, choose Free, then Agriculture.

More detailed information can be found on the Canada Food Stats CD-ROM, (23F0001XCB, $81/$129), which will be available shortly. This is an easy-to-use system that provides access to a broad spectrum of data, pre-formatted reports and articles on food and the food industry.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Kim Boyuk (613-951-2510; 1-800-465-1991; kimberley.boyuk@statcan.gc.ca), Agriculture Division.



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Date Modified: 2005-10-18 Important Notices