Food Statistics Pocketbook 2013 September 20, 2013 12:00 am The annual Food Statistics Pocketbook has been released by DEFRA. The publication provides a roundup of the social, environmental and economic aspects of the food we eat. In 2011 the agri-food sector contributed £96.3 billion (7.4%) to the national Gross Value Added (GVA) and 14% of the national employment in the first quarter of 2013. UK food prices have risen by 12% since 2007 in real terms. This is greater than seen in other EU countries such as Germany and France. In 2012, 24 counties accounted for 90% of the UK food supply, UK produced food accounted for 53% of this. Food wastage is a continuing issue. The estimated total UK food waste is around 15 million tonnes per year. 7.2 million tonnes is generated by households annually with an enormous 4.4 million tonnes still fit for human consumption. Fruit and vegetable consumption declined with the lowest 10% of households by income purchasing on average 2.9 portions per person per day, a 14% drop since 2007. The full publication can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/food-statistics-pocketbook-2013
