Freshfel Europe has announced the launch of its Consumption Monitor, an EU-wide report that studies trends in the production, trade and supply of fresh fruit and vegetables across the bloc, as well as Norway, Switzerland and the US.
The study paper, entitled 'Fresh fruit and vegetable production, trade, supply & consumption monitor in the EU-27', is the seventh edition of Freshfel's report, covering the period from 2003-2008.
According to the report, the per capita fresh fruit consumption within the EU-27 in 2008 remained below the five-year average by 0.67 per cent, while fresh vegetable consumption continued to fall sharply by 14.2 per cent compared with the same period.
Meanhwile, total gross supply of fruit per capita stood on a yearly basis at 95.5kg in 2008, compared with an average of 96.2kg over the previous five years, while the total yearly vegetable gross supply per capita stood at 103.5kg (compared with a five year average of 120.7kg).
'Although consumption data should only be understood as a trend indication, rather than a precise amount of fresh produce really consumed by the population, on average the trend indicators in the monitor also confirm that around half of EU member states remain below or just above the 400g a day minimum recommended by the World Health Organisation,' said Freshfel general delegate Philippe Binard. 'Besides the overall declining trends, it also shows that important efforts remain to be made in order to bring consumption up to satisfactory and healthy levels across all EU member states.'
Freshfel president Ramon Rey noted that the report contained an impressive array of trend information, and represented an invaluable tool for both fresh produce companies and the public.
'The report clearly demonstrates the need for ongoing actions within the sector to supply quality and tasty products to consumers,' Mr Rey added. 'It is also underlining the responsibility of public authorities to further support the sector by public health campaigns to lead consumers towards a healthier diet.
'The fruit and vegetables school scheme introduced in 23 member states in 2009 is a huge step in the right direction and needs to be continued and even reinforced.'
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