Recent data from the Czech Statistical Office (CSÚ) reveals a notable shift in dietary habits among Czechs, with per capita food consumption experiencing a substantial decline of 32 kilograms, reaching 739 kilograms annually over the past year. This adjustment in dietary patterns is attributed to the economic challenges faced by households, marked by a real wage slump and a focus on essential goods.

Various food categories witnessed changes in consumption, reflecting households’ efforts to navigate economic constraints while maintaining thoughtful shopping practices. Bread, rice, legumes, and beer consumption demonstrated an increase, signaling a shift in preferences and priorities. Conversely, specific foods like milk, eggs, meat, fruits, and vegetables experienced a decline in consumption.

The statisticians at CSÚ emphasize that the reduction in food consumption per person highlights the impact of constrained household spending, especially in the realm of essential goods. Renata Vodičková, the head of CSÚ’s agricultural and forestry statistics department, identifies a positive aspect in the trend: a more frequent emphasis on thoughtful shopping, leading to a reduction in unnecessary food waste.

Milk and dairy product consumption witnessed a notable decrease of 16 kilograms to nearly 247 kilograms per person. Dairy items, including yogurts and buttermilk, experienced the most significant decline, while average quark consumption saw a slight increase.

After a decade of continuous growth, meat consumption stagnated, experiencing a year-on-year decrease of 3.1 kilograms to nearly 83 kilograms per person. The decline was consistent across beef, pork, and poultry categories.

In the realm of side dishes, Czechs set a historical record in rice consumption, reaching nine kilograms per person, twice the value recorded in 2010. Legume consumption also saw a noteworthy increase, reaching 3.7 kilograms per person, doubling the values typical in the early ’90s.

Fruit and vegetable consumption displayed divergent trends, with a slight drop in fruit consumption to 50.6 kilograms per person and a more substantial decrease in vegetable consumption by 9.3 kilograms, totaling 87.4 kilograms per inhabitant.

Interestingly, in the domain of alcohol consumption, Czechs exhibited an increase in beer consumption by 7.4 liters year-on-year, reaching nearly 143 liters per person. However, the consumption of pure alcohol remained stable at 9.7 liters. The data underscores the intricate interplay between economic factors and dietary choices shaping the culinary landscape in the Czech Republic.

Article by Prague Forum