REGIONAL DIVERSIFICATION IN THE CONSUMPTION OF FRESH FRUIT, VEGETABLES AND THEIR PROCESSED PRODUCTS IN POLAND

Abstract

The main goal of the study was to determine the degree of diversity and trends of changes in the consumption of major groups and species of fruit and vegetables and their processed products in households in individual voivodships in Poland between 2008 and 2017. The coefficient of variation and the sigma-convergence technique were used to identify the level and changes in the diversity of consumption. The medium-term rate of change was used to determine trends in the consumption of the groups of products under study in individual voivodships. The analysis was based on secondary data from the Central Statistical Office. The volume of consumption was expressed as kg per capita per annum. There were regional differences in consumption – they were bigger in the consumption of vegetables and processed fruit products. During the period under analysis, the differences in the consumption of most of the fruit groups tended to decrease, whereas the differences in the consumption of vegetables tended to increase. The most pronounced increase in regional diversity was observed in the consumption of processed fruit and vegetable products. The largest amounts of fruit were consumed in the Masovian Voivodship, whereas the most vegetables were consumed in the Lublin and Świętokrzyskie voivodships. The lowest consumption of fruit and vegetables as well as clear downward trends were found in the Greater Poland, Warmian-Masurian, Silesian, Pomeranian and Kuyavian-Pomeranian voivodships. These regions were characterised by particularly unfavourable changes in the consumption of species and groups of fresh fruit and vegetables, mostly produced in Poland, such as apples, soft fruit, and cabbage.