It seems the decline of free-to-air TV, and the subsequent lack of iconic McCain’s advertisements (The rains are ‘ere!) have correlated with a downturn in Australians getting their 5 daily serves of vegetables.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics says only 6.5% of Australians are eating enough vegetables per day, with most eating less than two serves.
Health factors aside, the nation’s bad food habits are affecting farmers.
The ABC has recently reported that the “downward trend in vegetable consumption” is negatively affecting growers, noting that many are “already doing it tough due to economic conditions and other industry pressures”.
Peak horticulture industry body, AusVeg, recently released their 2024 Vegetable Industry Sentiment Report – warning that the Australian vegetable, potato and
onion industry is facing a range of severe operating challenges.
The report found that 1 in 3 growers are considering leaving the industry in the next 12 months. An exodus that will cause severe issues to Australia’s food security. It also reflected the industry’s concern, with 50% of growers indicating that they were financially worse off than they were 12 months ago, and 28% believing they would be financially worse off by June 2025.
Survey participants cite a lack of operating profit, input cost increases, poor retail prices, increased cost of labour, and compliance burdens driving their decision about whether to leave the industry.
98% of fresh vegetables sold in Australia are grown in Australia, so it’s not a leap of faith to believe that an increase in consumption would help the industry.
AusVeg’s report indicates that increasing vegetable consumption by just one serve per person per day has the potential to achieve a $3.3 billion net vegetable supply chain economic benefit.
Addressing Australia’s vegetable consumption problem starts right on the farm. Without initiatives to address public understanding of their value and benefits, we’re risking the sustainability of our communities.
References: ABC, Australia Bureau of Statistics, AusVeg