Vegetable consumption by Spaniards reaches second lowest level in ten years

Up to March of this year, 49.7 kg per capita of fresh vegetables were consumed in Spain, showing a slight recovery with respect to the previous year, although it is still one of the lowest figures of the last decade. In 2015, consumption was 60.6 kg per capita, which shows a downward trend in recent years. According to MAPA, 2023 had the worst figure of the decade with 49.2 kg per capita.

 

Despite the general decline, vegetables have held up better than fresh fruit. Tomatoes remain the most consumed vegetable, although their consumption has dropped from 14.1 kg per capita in 2015 to 11.5 kg per capita until March 2024. Onions and cabbages have also seen declines, but less marked.

 

The price of fresh vegetables has increased, reaching an average of €2.05/kg, up 7.9% on the previous year. This has led to an increase in per capita expenditure on vegetables, reaching 114.89 euros per person per year.

 

To reverse the downward trend in the consumption of fresh produce, producers and organisations such as Fepex and COAG are promoting information campaigns, focusing on the benefits of these foods and especially on young people, where consumption habits are formed.