People’s eating habits are changing. Traditional food habits seem to be changing. This is the reason why grains are falling from people’s plates and are being replaced by processed foods, fruits and nuts. Along with this, people are concerned about health, due to which sugar, salt and oil are also decreasing from the plate.
Analysis of National Sample Survey data shows that people are preferring more nutritious and ready-to-eat foods over conventional foods. According to the report, in the last two decades, per capita monthly consumption of food grains has decreased by three kg in rural areas and two kg in urban areas. In comparison to 1999-2000, the consumption of food grains has decreased by 25 percent in rural areas and 20 percent in urban areas in 2022-23.
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Costs have increased significantly in urban and rural areas
People are preferring other foods instead of grains. This includes increased consumption of eggs, fish, meat, fruits, nuts and processed foods. According to the report, expenditure on fruits and nuts in rural areas increased from 1.72 percent to 3.73 percent, on processed food increased from 4.91 percent to 9.62 percent, and on eggs, fish and meat increased from 3.32 percent to 4.91 percent. At the same time, expenditure on processed food in urban areas increased from 6.35 percent to 10.64 percent, on fruits and nuts from 2.42 percent to 3.81 percent, on eggs, fish and meat from 3.13 to 3.57 percent.
A major reduction in expenditure on food grains
According to the report, in 2022-23, per capita monthly expenditure on food grains in rural areas will be only Rs. 185 and in cities Rs. 235, which are 4.91 and 3.64 per cent of the current total expenditure respectively. When looking at the figures for 1999-2000, at that time consumer expenditure in rural areas was 22.16 per cent and in urban areas 12.35 per cent. Similarly, during 2022-23, per capita monthly consumer expenditure has been recorded at Rs 2008 in rural areas and Rs 3510 in urban areas. While in 1999-2000 it was Rs. 978 and Rs. It was 1823.
LPG price July 1: LPG cylinder becomes cheaper from Delhi to Patna.
Consumption of sugar, salt and oil also decreased
Interestingly, expenditure on milk, pulses and vegetables has declined in both rural and urban areas. The reason is not clear but it seems that the increase in their prices could be a major reason. One good thing is that expenditure on sugar and salt is decreasing in rural and urban areas. This is important in view of the increasing incidence of diabetes and hypertension.
Expenditure on sugar and salt in villages has come down from 2.60 percent to 0.93 percent. While in urban areas it has decreased from 1.80 to 0.60. Similarly, oil consumption is also decreasing. Oil i.e. fat is considered to be the main cause of raising cholesterol. In urban areas, expenditure on edible oil has come down from 3.14 to 2.37 percent. While in rural areas it has increased from 3.74 to 3.59 percent.
Thus the consumption of food grains continued to decline.
across the country
Consumption per person per month per year (kg)
City area
Consumption per person per month per year (kg)
1999-00 10.42