Carrots have proven themselves once again as Australia’s favourite vegetable with potatoes coming in at a close second, states a quarterly report recently released by the vegetable industry.

“Other veggies that have topped the most popular list are tomatoes, lettuce and onions,” said AUSVEG Senior Communications Officer Courtney Burger.

AUSVEG is the national peak industry body representing the interests of over 9,000 Australian vegetable and potato growers.

“Compared to the previous report released in the final quarter of last year, we have seen potatoes overtake tomatoes for second place. Customers are making the move towards buying hard cooked vegetables, with sales increasing in both pumpkin and potatoes.”

“This trend reflects the change in seasons and people wanting to cook with heartier vegetables to make soups and comfort foods, to warm up in the cooler winter months,” said Miss Burger.

The report: Veginsights The Market Q1 2011, has been produced as part of the Vegetables Industry Development Program (VIDP) to analyse trends in consumer behaviour, advertising and marketing.

The top ten vegetables list is as follows in order of popularity:
1. Carrots
2. Potatoes
3. Tomatoes
4. Lettuce
5. Onions
6. Capsicums
7. Mushrooms
8. Broccoli
9. Cucumber
10. Pumpkin

“Potatoes and carrots are the only two vegetables to be purchased by 60 per cent or more of households on a weekly basis, showing that these two veggies are staples in the average Australian home.”

“The popularity of carrots stems from the versatility in the ways that you can prepare and eat them. Such as snacking on fresh carrot sticks, roasting in the oven, grating them into a salad or even baking into a delicious carrot cake,” said Miss Burger.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Courtney Burger – Senior Communications Officer, AUSVEG Phone: (03) 9822 0388, Mobile: 0439 784 890, Email: courtney.burger@ausveg.com.au