Australians buying more fruit and fewer vegetables

Australians bought more fruit and fewer vegetables in 2024-25 compared to the previous financial year, according to new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Julie Watkinson, ABS head of health and disability statistics, said: “Fruit consumption increased by 1.4 per cent, driven mainly by oranges, kiwifruit and grapes, while vegetable consumption fell by 1.7 per cent.”

The increase was equivalent to around 2 grams more fruit per person per day, partly reversing declines seen in recent years.

“Australians purchased around 181 grams of vegetables per person per day in 2024-25, down from 184 grams the previous year and the lowest level recorded in the seven-year series,” Ms Watkinson said.

The largest falls were for avocado (down 12 per cent), pumpkin (down 8 per cent) and peas and beans (down 7 per cent).

Across all food and non-alcoholic beverages sold through the retail sector, Australians purchased an estimated 15.6 million tonnes in 2024-25, up 2.2 per cent from the previous year. More than three-quarters of this increase came from non-alcoholic beverages and milk products.

Bottled water consumption increased by 5 per cent to 148 mL per person per day, while energy drinks rose by 18 per cent to 16 mL per person per day. Since 2018-19, consumption of energy drinks has increased by more than 80 per cent.

Consumption of regular breads and bread rolls fell 4.2 per cent over the year, while sausages and processed meats declined by 6.7 per cent.

For more information, please refer to the Apparent Consumption of Selected Foodstuffs, Australia, 2024-25 report, available for free download from the ABS website: https://www.abs.gov.au