Fifty years of food consumption: moderate growth, but some profound changes

Since 1960, households have devoted a smaller and smaller share of their consumption expenditure to food: 20% in 2014 against 35% in 1960. Nevertheless, in fifty years, food consumption per inhabitant has increased regularly in volume, but less rapidly than consumption overall. The composition of the food basket has also changed. Meat, fruit and vegetables, bread and cereals and alcoholic drinks increased less quickly than other food products. In particular, they have lost ground to processed products and ready meals. The increase in household purchasing power, the contrasting trends in the prices of various products and the reduction in time spent cooking contribute to changes in eating habits. Lastly, alcohol consumption in the home has become more frequent; it also includes more and more spirits and good quality wines. Prices in cafés and restaurants have increased substantially more than prices of food eaten at home.