There has been a major shift in the daily diet of Greek consumers over the last eight years due to the financial crisis, according to the results of a survey conducted by the Institute for Consumer Products Retail Trade Research (HELCA), who made the announcement to coincide with World Food Day, 16 October 2018, which is a day of action dedicated to tackling global hunger.
According to HELCA, meals prepared in households around Greece has shifted as many families have been affected by the economic crisis, meaning the type of food and quantities consumed has changed significantly over recent years.
According to the report an overall 21% decrease in market value has been recorded, which was highlighted by the fact that 19 out of the 26 food categories examined in the HELCA survey show a decrease in the quantity purchased in 2017 compared to 2010, while 20 out of the 26 categories show a decrease in the value purchased in 2017 compared to in 2010.
There has been an increase in cheaper choices for protein intake, such as legumes, which includes lentils, chickpeas, broad beans, with sales of these products increasing by 10% from 15 to 16.6 kg. There was also an increase in poultry by 9% from 36.4kg to 39.5kg whereas more expensive choices are declining, such as beef, which decreased by 24% from 47.6 kg to 35.9 kg and lamb and goat meat dropped by 25% from 13.5 kg to 10.2 kg.
There was also a significant increase in carbohydrate intake, whereby pasta and rice rose by 14% and 8%, respectively.
There was also a decrease in sugar intake by 44% and soft drinks by 43%, which I a healthier outcome, however . the major concern is the decrease in the consumption of fruit and vegetables by 23% and 20% respectively, as well as the reduction in dairy products, with a decrease of 14% for milk and 24% for cheese, and a drop in olive oil purchases by 18%.
