Drop in Belgians’ consumption of fresh vegetables

Belgians are consuming fewer fresh vegetables but slightly more fresh fruit. According to data from the market research agency GfK Belgium, the average Belgian purchased 38 kg of fresh vegetables in 2017 – 1kg less than in 2016. Average vegetable prices were higher, which meant that overall spending on vegetables remained stable. Fruit consumption climbed slightly, from 46.6 to 47 kg per capita. With fresh fruit prices being 4% higher last year, spending on fruit grew by 5%. Consumption of organic vegetables and fruit continued to increase – half of Belgians now buy biofruit. However, the growth has slowed down from previous years.
Belgian’s favourite vegetable remains the tomato, closely followed by the carrot. While apples are still the county’s favourite fruit (especially the Jonagold variety), consumption has fallen and bananas are making up ground on them. Strawberries too saw increased consumption in 2017.
In terms of distribution, the picture changed very little. Although DIS 1 remains the market leader, its share fell slightly, from 49% to 48%, followed by hard discount (24%), and neighborhood supermarkets, whose market share rose from 14% to 16%.