Articles
VEGETABLE DEMAND IN THE EEC COUNTRIES: A NORTH-SOUTH COMPARISON1
Our work stresses how the EEC consumers have to respond to this evolution, showing the existing similarities and differences, in relation to the geographic position.
Besides the available national and community statistics in the period 1980–89 – together with projection of apparent consumption supply to 1995 – we have also used the results of an inquiry questionnaire.
The picture wich emerges of EUR-12 vegetable consumption including potatoes remained roughly static (+ 0,22 percent) in the 1980–89 period, but this was largely due to a decline in the consumption of potatoes wich matched the rise in consumption of other vegetables.
The latter increased by 13,5 percent in 1980–89 and it is expected to grow by another 14,5 percent in the period to 1995.
Vegetable consumption varies sharply between countries, from a massive 182,8 kg/year in Greece to only 47,0 in Germany (excluding potatoes). These differences persisted in the 1980–89 period.
As for fruit, but more so, the actual products wich go to make up this total vary substantially from country to country.
The findings of the consumer survey broadly confirm the statistical picture.
Overall, 46 percent of EUR – 12 respondents said that they ate more fresh vegetables now than they did five years ago and only 8 percent said less.
The highest positive score was in Portugal (66 percent), closely followed by Ireland, the UK and the former East Germany.
On the contrary, the lowest percentage was in France (32 percent). In particular, those in the 18–35 age group score above average (52 percent).