Food Statistics Pocketbook 2014

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 2012 the agri-food sector contributed £96.9 billion (7.1%) to the national Gross Value Added (GVA); agriculture accounted for around 9% of this figure.  UK food prices have risen by 18% since 2007 in real terms, taking the UK back to the mid-nineties in terms of the cost of food against other goods.  In 2013 food and drink in Ireland was 14% more expensive than the UK; France and Germany are around 7% more expensive.  (However, food prices have recently declined – see article).  In 2012 emissions from food and drink manufacturing fell 2.2% on the 2011 figure, again food waste is an issue with around 4.2 million tonnes of fit to eat wastage produced by households each year.  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.  In England the 2012 obesity rate stood at 25% for adults.  The full publication can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/food-statistics-pocketbook-2014