CONSUMPTION OF FRUIT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22517, 27 September 1938, Page 6

CONSUMPTION OF FRUIT

SMALLER DEMAND FOR APPLES LOW RECOUP SET IN ENGLAND IMMOH OUI OWN eQRHJMPOMDJSVT.) '' LONDON, August 15. Appetites for apples in the United Kingdom during 1937 were, much weaker, according to the Imperial Economics Committee, Although on an average people consumed more raw fruit individually, their demands for apples were the lowest in the last seven years. Since 1931 the individual has eaten an average of 24,51b of apples a year, but in 1937 consumption fell to 20,41b, the previous lowest for the period being 221b in 1931. It was a sharp fall on the consumption for 1938, when individuals ate an average of 261b. Since 1931 there has been a steady, if fluctuating, Vise in the quantity of raw fruit eaten a head of the population in the United Kingdom. In that year the figure was 801b. It rose to P6lb in 1934, a peak year for practically all fruits, fell back to 791b in 1935, and increased again to 861b last year. Oranges compete with apples for popular favour, and last year individuals ate an average of 81b more oranges than apples. Bananas rank as the third most popular fruit (15.21b a head), and show a steady increase in consumption, and although imports of grapefruit are small in comparison, this fruit is gaining a bigger market. Average consumption is now 31b a h§ad compared with 21b in 1931.