AUSTRALIAN HORTICULTURE DOES NOT FACE AN OVERSUPPLY ISSUES, RATHER THE NATION FACES AN UNDERCONSUMPTION ISSUE WITH LESS THAN 5% OF AUSTRALIAN ADULTS AND CHILDREN MEETING THE AUSTRALIAN DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLES.

Australia faces an underconsumption issues when it comes to fresh fruit and vegetables, with less than 5% of Australian adults and children meeting the Australian Dietary Guidelines recommended intake of fruit and vegetables. Consumption of fruit and vegetables has been declining for some time with 14% of adults consuming the recommended amount of vegetables in 2024 and 7% meeting the guidelines in 2014. 

Diets rich in fruit and vegetables have been shown to protect against high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Therefore, health intervention strategies are urgently required to address the declining consumption of fruit and vegetables amongst Australians. 

Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers advocates for:  

• Behavioural change intervention strategies to increase the daily intake of fruit and vegetables amongst Australians.  

• Collaborative strategies that address systemic barriers to consumption including sustained investment into research, development and innovation within the horticulture sector.