Consumption patterns

This essay is geared towards analyzing an article that was done on the year 2001 concerning the increasing “Consumer Demand for Fruits and Vegetables: The U.S. Example.” The consumption pattern then could be seen to have increased over the years. It was in the article that several factors where enumerated with regards to the increasing demand for both fruits and vegetables among the citizen in the United States of America. It was then concluded that the demand could be seen as a pattern where other developing countries could have the same patterns in the long run. As could be implied in the article’s title, the author aims to reach a certain justification that given time, several countries would have an increase in the demand for fruits and vegetables.

Consumer Demand for Fruits and Vegetables: The U.S. Example
It could be gathered that this particular article is directed towards the behavioral pattern of the people in the United States. Ergo, it could be deduced that most of the data gathered is much dedicated in the statistical aspect where the demand for fruits and vegetables had increased. It was said that the consumption of both fruits and vegetables had already been a part of the usual food consumption on the people of the country especially when it espouses a healthy lifestyle (Kurtzweil, 1997).

It could be seen then that, over the years, food consumption patterned has increased especially when incomes had increased. It could be sensed here that as income increases, the buying of goods also increases, including that of fruits and vegetables aside from the other necessities. To further reinforce this assertion, it was studied that over the course of year 1961 and 1998, there had been a considerable increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetable on places where income had surely increased. However, those who had lower incomes had little or no difference when it comes to the consumption of the said goods.

It would then be heir apparent that as the incomes of the people increased there is an extensive increase in buying goods. Suffice to say that this first reason would have given a reason for the increase in the consumption rates of the people. In connection to this, the main argument for this could be seen as such that most people were gearing towards the convenience of a product.

Canned and processed fruits and vegetables then are getting popular. It would then be inferred that the supplies needed would increase since manufacturing these goods could take larger number of fruits or vegetable. Albeit, fresh fruits are still popular and they are aptly so since they are much convenient. Connecting this to the second reason, it could be seen that technological aspects had made the difference since packing and delivering goods could be made easy.

However, this assertion could be further asserted by the third justification over the change in consumption pattern. In this aspect the concept of healthy living could be injected. It was said then that the people had a strong belief in going back to the healthy living lifestyle (Pollack, 2001). It seems that the household with older members in the family tend to purchase more fruits and vegetables. Age then becomes another big factor.

The fourth assertion could be found that the availability of the goods has already increased. This increase in the availability could have been due to the imports from other countries. It could be seen here then that a “wide selection of products…” had been made available to American citizens that even if the fruits or vegetables are not produced for the season in the particular country, it could still be made available through importing and  trading (Pollack, 2001).

As was mentioned above, improved technological aspect has paved the way for easier shipping and packing that some seasonal fruits could be made available in the United States. The trade business has also increased during this time that some products that are not actually available in the country had made its way to American soil due to trade and imports. It seems that tropical produce had become popular among the people. Americans may be able to produce these tropical goods on some areas of the land but the demand for it is high that supplies are needed; hence trade and imports are needed.

All these patterns if conjoined together could create a change in the demand for the said goods – fruits and vegetables. On the year 1997-99, it was said that the trend consumption of fruits and vegetables in the United States had been averaged as 741 pounds per person. It could be seen as 25 percent more than what was consumed during the year 1977-79. The increase was much focused on the fresh melon and processed potatoes. Either way, vegetables had been a forerunner when it comes to people’s favorites as compared to fruits in general. In fact, vegetable consumption has increased to 24 percent as compared to the 8 percent consumption rate of fruits.

After the mid-seventies, it could be argued that lesser people had become enamored with canned goods and are much inclined to purchasing fresher goods. It seems then that aside from the increase in percentage, a much wider variety of vegetables are now made available as some people are slowly creating certain variations in their consumption purchases. Examples of these vegetable diets are asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, onions, and lettuces, and many others. Of all the fruits, banana had become the most popular fresh fruit treat. However, this particular fruit is garnered through imports. Other examples of fruits that are popular are apples and oranges, also grapes, pears, and strawberries. Regardless of the increase in consumption rates, it would still not sufficient to claim that Americans are consuming the “recommended daily servings” for both fruits and vegetables.

It could then be concluded that the demand for fruits and vegetables in the U.S has increased through several reasons: 1. Convenience might lead to larger demand for supplies, 2. Technological aspects makes it more convenient, 3. Health issues are being addressed, and 4. Availability of goods through imports and trade is rapidly growing. Also, these patterns could also be realized in other developing countries.

References
Kurtzweil, P. (1997). Fruits and Vegetables: Eating Your Way to 5 A Day.   Retrieved September 27, 2007, from http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/food/eating5-aday/297_five.html

Pollack, S. L. (2001). Consumer Demand for Fruits and Vegetables: The U.S. Example [Electronic Version]. Changing Structure of Global Food Consumption and Trade. Retrieved September 27, 2007.