In a startling revelation about Australian eating and drinking habits, recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has unveiled a concerning trend: Aussies are consuming fewer fruits and vegetables and drinking less milk. This unexpected shift in the nation’s dietary patterns has been directly linked to the escalating prices at the checkout counter.
According to the ABS report released on Friday, Australians purchased approximately 3.9 percent less food in the fiscal year 2022-23 compared to the previous year. This decrease translates to a daily reduction of 63 grams or 337 kilojoules per person. The most significant decline was observed in vegetable consumption, plummeting by 14 grams per person per day, closely followed by fruit, which decreased by 12 grams per person per day.
Furthermore, the consumption of milk products saw a notable decline of 11 grams, while non-alcoholic beverages experienced a dip of 9 grams per person per day. ABS health statistics spokesman Paul Atyeo highlighted the specifics, stating, “Each person had 186 grams of vegetables a day in 2022-23, down from 200 grams a day in 2021-22. We also went from eating 150 grams of fruit to 138 grams a day during 2022-23, while milk products fell from 278 grams to 267 grams.”
The ABS attributed these lower consumption estimates directly to recent food price inflation. Over the two years leading up to June 2023, the cumulative Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase for food and non-alcoholic beverages surged by 13.9 percent, in stark contrast to the 4.9 percent increase observed over the prior three years. The ABS report emphasized, “The recent price increases in food, along with a general increase in all consumer prices, are consistent with a lower volume of food being purchased despite the value of food retail turnover in 2022-23 exceeding previous years.”
Despite these declines in certain food categories, Australians have shown increased consumption in other food groups compared to five years ago. Notably, the consumption of potato chips has soared by 16 percent, and chocolate consumption has risen by 10 percent. Additionally, there has been a notable 9 percent increase in the consumption of cereal and convenience meals, encompassing foods such as pizza, sushi, and pasta dishes like lasagna, wraps, and pasta salad.
However, amidst these fluctuations, there is a silver lining: Australians are consuming fewer sugar-sweetened drinks. The data indicates a decline from a peak of 145 milliliters per person per day in 2020-21 to 135 milliliters over the period of 2022-23.
The ABS data underscores the complex interplay between economic factors and dietary choices. As checkout costs continue to rise, Australians are forced to make difficult decisions regarding their food purchases, resulting in shifts in consumption patterns across various food groups. This trend highlights the importance of addressing food affordability and accessibility to ensure the nation’s health and well-being in the face of economic challenges.
