Shoppers in the UK are buying more and spending more on fresh fruit and vegetables, according to an annual report into the nation’s food habits published by Defra.
Fresh fruit in particular has been on an upwards trend since 2011, the report found, while potato purchases continue to decline.
The annual Family Food review collates the date from 5,000 families who record their food and drink spending habits both in and outside of the home.
Spend on meat and meat products, potatoes, and bread, and some dairy products, all declined over the period, as it seems shoppers are turning towards healthier diets.
Overall purchases of fruit and vegetables rose slightly between 2012 and 2015 driven by consumers spending more. Spending on processed vegetables and fruit fell during the same period.
Potato purchases continued a long-term downward trend, with a 6.8 percent reduction since 2012. Purchases are now 20 per cent lower than ten years ago, driven by a decline in purchases of fresh potatoes.
Around four fifths of the purchases of processed potatoes were chips and crisps and these have been relatively stable over the last ten years.
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