Longitudinal Study of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Hungary

Abstract

We studied fresh and processed fruit and vegetable consumption of the last decade in Hungary on Hungarian Bureau of Statistics and GFK Hungaria household study data and on macro-economical data. Methodology difficulties have been explained in categorization of products during data collection. Long term data show increase despite ups and downs, but recent consumption level do not meet the expectations based on recent FAO/WHO suggestion, despite positive moral background and sporadic promotion campaigns in Hungary. Huge differences can be seen in consumption of different products between 1994 and 2004 in the fruit and vegetable category. As a whole, the consumption structure of vegetables is more stabile, but than of fruits. Consumption of processed products increased in case of fruits and vegetables, but the ratio of these products is still low and has minor effect on the total. Ratio of in-home processed products within the total category parallel decreased. It is advised that subcategory, or product level approach is necessary instead of repeated general fruit and vegetable promotion campaigns. Processing industry deserves more involvement from supply level here.