Sweet corn continues to
be a family favourite, with the latest Project Harvest consumer research study
revealing that more and more Australians are enjoying this staple with their
families.

The latest data from
the tracking study shows that consumers are increasingly turning to corn as a
healthy addition to their meals, with consumption up 15 per cent since March
2014.

Australians are also
putting corn in their shopping baskets more frequently, with average purchases
per month jumping 20 per cent over the same period.

“The numbers in the
latest wave of Project Harvest clearly display an upwards trend in corn’s
popularity among Australian shoppers,” said AUSVEG spokesperson Kurt Hermann.

“What we’re finding is
that Australians are buying corn for its great taste and to add variety to
their vegetable selection. The responses suggest that the ease of cooking corn
is a major factor in its prevalence in Aussie meals.”

AUSVEG is the leading
horticultural body representing more than 9,000 Australian vegetable and potato
growers.

The Project Harvest
study, produced by Colmar Brunton, analyses consumer attitudes and habits
regarding vegetable purchases. By tracking vegetables in increments to produce
data on trends over time, the study provides support to Australian vegetable
growers as they negotiate the domestic market.

The study has
previously analysed corn consumption trends in March and July. Each wave,
including the most recent edition, has shown an upwards trend in corn
consumption and purchase frequency.

Project Harvest
research also found that consumers believe corn is good for the whole family, which
may contribute to the fact that it features heavily in weekday and weekend
dinners.

“Corn has always been a
staple in the diets of many Australians, and appears frequently in traditional
and modern Australian cuisine. It’s great to see that more and more families
are including it as part of a nutritious, vegetable-rich diet,” said Mr
Hermann.

“As we can see in the
study, there has been an increase in consumer purchases of pre-packaged trays
of sweet corn. This could be because it presents itself as a quick, convenient
way for increasingly time-poor Australians to add vegetables to a meal.”

“Meeting the
recommended daily intake of vegetables can be difficult, so taking advantage of
trending vegetables is a great way to improve your family’s health and
well-being.”

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:  Kurt Hermann, AUSVEG
spokesperson

Phone: (03) 9882 0277,
Mobile: 0421
007 510, Email: kurt.hermann@ausveg.com.au