In 2023, the average per capita food consumption in the Czech Republic stood at 788 kilograms. This figure aligns with the 30-year average but is lower than the previous year’s consumption. Notable decreases were recorded in the consumption of milk and dairy products, pork, rice, pulses, potatoes, fruit, and vegetables. Conversely, the consumption of baked goods, pasta, beef, and poultry increased.
“Total food consumption fell for the second consecutive year to 788 kilograms per capita in 2023, consistent with the 30-year average. This marks a reversal of the previous upward trend in food consumption, which peaked at a record 825 kilograms per capita between 2012 and 2021,” said Renata Vodičková, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry Statistics at the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ).
Decline in Dairy Products and Pork
The consumption of animal products showed mixed results. Milk and dairy product consumption decreased by 3.0 kilograms to 254.9 kilograms per capita compared to the previous year. Pure drinking milk consumption dropped by 1.6 liters, while other dairy products such as yogurt and buttermilk fell by 1.0 kilogram. Cheese consumption also declined slightly, by 0.5 kilograms.
Meat consumption trends varied: pork consumption decreased by 2.2 kilograms to 41.8 kilograms per capita, while poultry meat consumption rose by 1.1 kilograms to 29.2 kilograms. Beef consumption also saw a modest increase of 0.4 kilograms, reaching 9.2 kilograms per capita.
Side Dishes: Pasta on the Rise, Declines in Rice and Potatoes
Consumption of most staple side dishes declined. Rice consumption fell to 8.1 kilograms per capita, while potato consumption decreased to 68.1 kilograms and pulses to 3.1 kilograms. Pasta consumption, however, bucked the trend, showing a slight increase. Baked goods consumption also rose by 1.5 kilograms per capita. This included bread at 39.7 kilograms, wheat bread at 54.1 kilograms, and durum wheat bread at 8.2 kilograms
Slight Decline in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Fresh fruit consumption totaled 85.2 kilograms per capita, down by 2.2 kilograms from the previous year. Vegetable consumption showed a minor decline of 0.3 kilograms, totaling 87.2 kilograms per capita.
According to the Czech Statistical Office, the country’s self-sufficiency rate for staple foods was just under 80% in 2023. This rate reflects the extent to which domestic production can meet the country’s food requirements.
