More than a fifth of respondents – 25.2% in Estonia, 28.8% in Lithuania and 23% in Latvia – admit that they have recently started to buy healthier products and pay attention to their ingredients. However, according to the data of retail review “Maxima Retail Compass”, inhabitants of all three Baltic States consume too few vegetables, fruits and cereals, while the share of protein-rich products, oils, spices and unhealthy products in diet exceeds their normal consumption level recommended by nutritionists.
“According to the survey, Latvians, as well as Estonians and Lithuanians consume too little vegetables and cereals. Meat products and sweets are increasingly found in the inhabitants’ food baskets, and consumption of these products is above the European and global average, but there is also a positive trend, with a slight increase in the share of vegetables, berries and fruits in all countries, as well as decrease of consumption of oils, sauces and spices. All in all, this indicates that people in the Baltic States pay attention to their purchases, and they make healthier choices,” explains Viktors Troicins, Business Director of "Maxima Latvija".
According to 2018 data, people in Estonia, compared to inhabitants of neighbouring countries, are more likely to choose protein-containing products such as poultry, fish, milk, eggs, cheese, sausage, cottage cheese, nuts, etc. Latvians, on the other hand, prefer fruits, berries and vegetables more often than others and consume products like carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, mushrooms, strawberries, apples and lemons in their diets, while the amount of consumed cereals and potatoes is similar among inhabitants in Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.
According to “OnPlate” nutritionists, the recommended diet plate is composed as follows: vegetables, fruits and berries account for 50%, protein 25%, cereals, potatoes 25% and oils, sauces, spices – 1 tablespoon a day. Thus, analysis of the data of “Maxima Latvija” leads to the conclusion that during the last four years the diet of the inhabitants has not changed significantly, and although the proportion of fruits and vegetables in the food baskets has increased, diet of the inhabitants of the Baltic States is still not deemed completely balanced.
About the sectoral review “Maxima Retail Compass”:
“Maxima Retail Trade Compass” is a review of retail trade sector, within the framework of which experts of the retail chain “Maxima Latvija” have provided their assessment on the current situation in the retail trade sector and the development trends expected in the future. In this tenth review, the field of research was broadened to the Baltic scale and supplemented by conclusions of the expert discussion regarding the tendencies in the development of the retail trade sector today and in the future. Review was compiles on the basis of data collected by “Maxima Latvija”, as well as involving the best researchers of the sector from the market and public opinion research centre SKDS and using data provided by the Central Statistical Bureau and other sources.
Research was conducted in July and August 2019 in all three Baltic States via the research centre SKDS. 1005 residents of Latvia, 1055 residents of Estonia and 1066 residents of Lithuania aged 18 to 75 years participated in the research.
Information for media:
Liene Dupate-Ugule
Head of Communication at LLC (SIA) “Maxima Latvija”
Phone: 26425420
E-mail: liene.dupate@maxima.lv
www.maxima.lv
