05 Feb 2015 Average global consumer purchases 765 calories a day in packaged food and soft drinks

Market research company, Euromonitor International, has released new research examining the total amount of nutrients purchased per-person, per day through packaged food and soft drinks products. This first-of-its-kind data, available in Euromonitor’s Passport: Nutrition database, tracks energy, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugar, salt, protein and fibre in 54 countries globally.

According to the new research, the world buys 1.5 trillion calories a day, with the average global consumer purchasing 765 calories each day through packaged food and soft drinks. While this seems low, given the recommended intake is around 2000 for an adult, it is a global average. Countries in North America and Western Europe purchase over 1500 calories, with India at 150 calories perday and China at 510, respectively. South Africa comes in at 771 cals.

“Despite over 40% of the global population being overweight and obese, our nutrition data shows that by 2019 the world will purchase 90 calories more a day,” says Lauren Bandy, nutrition analyst at Euromonitor International. “This analysis helps address rising concerns surrounding nutritional value in food while building a picture of what people eat in different countries.”

Mexico buys the most calories a day with 1928 calories per person, which is 380 calories more than the US. The additional 380 calories is the equivalent of an extra slice of pizza per person every day in Mexico. Germany buys nearly twice as much fat per capita per day than Japan, and France purchases more calories from bread each day than India does from packaged food and soft drinks combined.

“Understanding how packaged food and soft drink brands contribute to the total purchase of nutrients by category and country helps address the rising concern of nutritional value in food,” concluded Bandy.

The Passport: Nutrition database, says Euromonitor, will be of interest to a wide range of organisations, providing an understanding of key market drivers and dietary trends. It allows food and beverage companies to analyse gaps in the market and compare the nutritional content of their brands with that of their competitors.

For governments, health promotion agencies, policy researchers and trade associations, it allows them to develop policy analysis, strategies and legislation concerning consumer nutrition and public health.

To learn more about Passport: Nutrition, visit: http://blog.euromonitor.com/2015/02/passport-nutrition-offers-global-nutrient-intake-data.html

South African overview: Click on the graphic to enlarge