28 Reliable Vegetable Consumption Statistics for 2022

While many people don’t eat fresh vegetables, this delicious type of food is an essential part of our daily diet. Namely, as long as you consume the right amount of vegetables, you will find that they can help you stay fit and healthy.

This list of vegetable consumption statistics will help you understand why vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet. But first, let’s take a look at some of the most interesting statistics we cherry-picked from the article.

Top 10 Vegetable Consumption Statistics

Revenue in the vegetable sector totals $835,443m in 2021
The worldwide vegetable oil market value hit $232.3 billion in 2020
America is the world’s largest importer of vegetables.
In the US, potatoes were the most consumed vegetables in 2020
Spinach ranks as the number one choice for those seeking vegetable consumption for good health
A 128g serving of carrots provides your body with 428% of its required daily intake of vitamin A
It’s a myth that eating carrots can improve your eyesight
Regular consumption of garlic can help regulate blood sugar and boost heart health
The antioxidant properties of Brussels sprouts make them perfect for detoxification and protection of body cells
You can significantly improve your digestive health by consuming green peas daily

Global Vegetable Consumption Statistics

Their availability and many health benefits have ensured that vegetables are now heavily consumed globally. Although the vegetables listed here have proven to provide numerous health benefits, there are several other essential vegetables not listed here that possess other important health qualities. That said, let us dive right into the top statistics on vegetable consumption in 2020.

1. Revenue in the vegetable sector totals $835,443m in 2021.

(Statista)

The market is expected to grow annually at a CAGR of 3.34% between 2021-2025. What’s more, reports on vegetable consumption by country show that the highest revenue for vegetables is generated in China (US$144,989m in 2021). According to the vegetable consumption records for 2021, global production of vegetables could also rise to 563,661.9mkg by 2025.

2. China has the highest vegetable consumption per capita.

(HelgiLibrary)

Based on a comparison of 158 countries, China has the highest consumption of vegetables per capita (328 kg). The average global consumption of vegetables per capita reached 134 kg in 2013.

3. Chad has the lowest vegetable consumption per capita.

(HelgiLibrary)

With 7.80 kg, Chad has the lowest consumption of vegetables per capita. Other countries with low vegetable consumption include Nicaragua with 10.4 kg and Zimbabwe with 16.1 kg.

4. In 2018, the global vegetable market generated $1.25 trillion in revenue.

(GlobeNewswire)

Furthermore, it created an income of $1,249.8 trillion in that year. The overall revenue generated by the industry was up 2.4% compared to 2017. These figures account for the overall revenue for both the producers of vegetables and importers, excluding retail marketing, retailer margins, and logistics costs.

5. According to vegetable oil production statistics, the worldwide vegetable oil market value hit $232.3 billion in 2020.

(IMARC)

Vegetable oil is extracted from seeds and nuts of vegetable plants. You can find vegetable oils in almost everything we use today, from household products to cosmetic and health items. This versatility in the usage of vegetable oils adds to its increasing market size.

6. US vegetable production statistics show that America is the world’s largest importer of vegetables.

(Statista)

According to a report by M. Shahbandeh regarding global vegetable importers, the US was ranked as the first among the largest worldwide vegetable importers. The US had the highest average vegetable import value for 2011–2015, with approximately $3.4 billion worth of vegetables imported during that time. Germany was in second place, with $2.4 billion worth of vegetables imported in the same period.

US Vegetable Consumption Stats and Facts

Globally, the US remains one of the top consumers in the vegetable market in 2020 and to date. Fruits like potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, onion, broccoli, and bell peppers are pretty popular amongst US citizens. Here, we take you through some of the US vegetable consumption statistics in 2020.

7. In the US, potatoes were the most consumed vegetables in 2020.

(Statista, International Potato Center, International Potato Center)

You may ask, why potatoes?

Although not often mentioned in the same breath as rice and wheat, potato is considered the third most important food crop and strives for the title of the largest vegetable in the world in terms of availability. The demand for potatoes was highest during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its inexpensiveness and availability. Also, as most people tried to stock up on food for months, the long shelf life of potatoes plays a vital role in its increased demand during the pandemic. All of these have further raised awareness of the potato vegetable benefits in this COVID-19 era.

8. The US was the top vegetable importer in 2018 with 7.4 million tons.

(GlobeNewswire)

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable growth of vegetable imports was attained by the US, while other importers exhibited modest growth. In 2018 alone, the US imported 7.4 million tons of assorted vegetables from around the world. Germany came second with 3.8 million tons of vegetables imported in the same year.

9. According to US vegetable consumption stats, only 2% of high school students consume enough vegetables.

(CDC)

According to a detailed study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, only 2% of high school students in the US meet the vegetable consumption levels recommended by health experts.

10. Turnip is the least popular vegetable in the US.

(Fox)

Although it’s not among the least healthy vegetables, turnip seems to be the least favored one. Namely, over 2,000 Americans were surveyed about their favorite and least favorite vegetables. 27% of the survey respondents said they dislike turnips, making it the least popular vegetable in the country. The second least liked vegetable was beetroot, with 26% saying they don’t like the vegetable.

Vegetable Nutrition Facts

From providing essential vitamins and minerals to fighting disease, it’s clear that including vegetables in our daily diet is crucial for healthy living. Here, we take you through what to add to your vegetable diet for 2021 for improved health benefits.

11. Broccoli contains more proteins than steak.

(WholeFoods)

Research has shown that all plants contain high levels of protein content. However, not all of the plant protein is edible and physiologically usable. Broccoli, one of the least liked vegetables, happens to have more protein per calorie intake than steak.

12. Spinach ranks as the number one choice for those seeking vegetable consumption for good health.

(Healthline)

Spinach, one of the most nutritious vegetables in existence, has a robust nutrient list and qualifies as an excellent vegetable to add to your daily diet. A 30g serving of raw spinach supplies your body with 56% of its daily required vitamin A needs alongside 100% of its daily vitamin K needs. Additionally, spinach is low in calories and boasts plenty of antioxidants (especially beta-carotene and lutein), which help diminish chronic disease risk.

13. It is possible to eat too many vegetables in a day.

(TheDailyMeal)

Exceeding the recommended vegetable intake is not immediately harmful to your health. However, keeping up with the consumption of too many vegetables instead of other parts of your diet can result in nutrient deficiencies. Your stomach can become so preoccupied with trying to process vegetables that it loses the capacity to absorb other nutrients.

14. A 128g serving of carrots provides your body with 428% of its required daily intake of vitamin A.

(Healthline)

Healthy eating statistics prove that carrots contain significant amounts of vitamin A amongst many other vitamins and antioxidants. To highlight the benefits of eating carrots, one study revealed that participants could reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer by 5% if they consume as little as a serving of carrots each week.

Another study proved that consuming carrots may help deplete the occurrence of lung cancer among smokers. Smokers who consume carrots one or more times a week are 3x less likely to develop lung cancer than smokers who don’t eat carrots.

15. Vegetables can help you lose weight.

(FoodNetwork)

One of many vegetables’ benefits is that they can help you lose weight. Eating the right amount of vegetables in a balanced diet while cutting down on unhealthy foods can help you lose weight. Some of the best vegetables to help you healthily shed some weight are broccoli, spinach, spaghetti squash, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes.

16. Peas are the most caloric vegetables for weight gain.

(BusinessStandard)

One of the crucial vegetable nutrition facts is that peas contain 67 calories per 100 grams; they have a 7% sugar content and have high protein levels at 5.8%.

Peas also consist of a high level of micronutrients. They are rich in beta-carotene, vitamins C and K, and include various minerals, like calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, and potassium.

These calories can be helpful for healthy weight gain if you make peas a part of your diet.

Interesting Vegetable Consumption Statistics and Facts

Do you know that the tomato is in the real sense a fruit and was only named a vegetable following a Supreme Court ruling in 1893? Well, that’s just one of the shocking discoveries we have for you. Read on to discover even more interesting facts about vegetables alongside key nutrition statistics from 2019 and beyond.

17. Tomatoes are defined as fruits according to their botanical classification.

(Healthline)

People use tomatoes as vegetables to prepare various types of food. However, according to the scientific classification, based on their botanical structure, tomatoes are fruits.

18. Watermelon is not a fruit, regardless of the amount of sugar this vegetable has.

(NWPB)

For several years, people have debated whether watermelons are fruits or vegetables. Since watermelon is grown and harvested as a vegetable crop using vegetable production systems, it satisfies the definition of a vegetable.

19. Peas are the oldest vegetable in the world.

(Triviahive)

According to findings from Stone Age settlements dating back as far as 8,000 to 10,000 years ago, the oldest known vegetable is the pea.

Official vegetable production statistics show that humans have cultivated several types of vegetables over thousands of years. Still, peas are considered to be the oldest known cultivated vegetable in the world.

20. It’s a myth that eating carrots can improve your eyesight.

(Healthline)

Carrots are among the most popular vegetables in the world. The highly nutritious vegetable is linked with improving eyesight. However, the common claim is actually a myth that originated during the Second World War to intimidate German soldiers by telling them that British soldiers had better night vision because they eat a lot of carrots.

The reality was that British pilots had started using radar to target and shoot down enemy planes. The carrot myth was created to keep radar technology a secret.

The Crucial Vegetable Eating Benefits

Whether you are dieting or not, ensuring that you infuse a good amount of vegetables into your daily diet improves and sustains your health in the long run. In this section, we take you through some crucial vegetables and their benefits that you should know.

21. Broccoli has properties that make it effective against certain types of cancer.

(Healthline)

Broccoli belongs to the family of vegetables known as cruciferous. It contains both glucosinolate and sulforaphane (both sulphuric compounds). Sulforaphane has been shown to offer a protective effect against cancerous cells. Studies found it capable of reducing the number and size of breast cancer cells in animals and also block tumor growth in mice particularly.

A 91g of raw broccoli supplies your body with 116% of its required daily intake of vitamin K and 135% of its vitamin C daily needs, alongside a substantial amount of potassium, magnesium, and folate.

22. Vegetable consumption can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

(Harvard)

Several families of both fruits and vegetables are rich in natural compounds that can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular issues in the human body. A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower your blood pressure, mitigate the risk of heart disease, prevent some types of cancer, and keep the sugar level in check.

23. Regular consumption of garlic can help regulate blood sugar and boost heart health.

(Healthline)

Most people consume garlic daily, but do you know the relationship between this vegetable consumption and your health?

Allicin is the primary active compound in garlic and is responsible for the numerous health benefits of garlic. In a particular animal study, diabetic lab rats were fed diallyl trisulfide or garlic oil. The two garlic compounds brought about a reduction in blood sugar level alongside improved insulin sensitivity.

In another study, participants with and without heart diseases were fed garlic. The result? In both groups, garlic increased HDL cholesterol while decreasing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

24. Eating cabbage helps reduce inflammation in the body.

(Healthline)

Eating a healthy set of vegetable servings per day reduces the risks of inflammatory diseases. Chronic inflammation can be very harmful to your health. It can be associated with several diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage contain many antioxidants that can reduce the effects of chronic inflammation in the human body.

25. The antioxidant properties of Brussels sprouts make them perfect for detoxification and protection of body cells.

(Healthline)

Brussels sprouts contain kaempferol, an antioxidant with the potential of preventing cell damage. A particular study on animals discovered that kaempferol shielded cells from free radicals that could potentiate oxidative damage.

Another study on vegetables and their benefits shows that consuming Brussels sprouts resulted in a 15–30% increase in certain specific detoxification enzymes in the body. These enzymes potentially reduce colorectal cancer risk. A single serving of Brussels sprouts provides the body with numerous minerals and vitamins (e.g., vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, manganese, potassium, and vitamin A).

26. Potatoes are the best vegetable to eat to improve blood sugar levels.

(Healthline)

Potatoes contain a special type of starch called resistant starch. The body does not fully break down the starch when it absorbs it. Therefore, the starch reaches the large intestine, where it becomes a source of nutrients for the helpful bacteria in your digestive tract.

Starch is linked to several health benefits, including the reduction of insulin resistance. In turn, healthy consumption of potatoes can improve your body’s control of blood sugar levels.

27. You can significantly improve your digestive health by consuming green peas daily.

(Healthline)

Reports on vegetables’ benefits reveal green peas to be high in calories and carbs compared to vegetables devoid of starch. A 160g serving of cooked green peas supplies your body with 9g of fiber, 9g of protein, alongside vitamins A, K, and C, thiamin, folate, niacin, and riboflavin. Due to their high fiber content, green peas encourage the activities of healthy bacteria in the gut, thereby promoting regular bowel movement and supporting digestive health.

28. Cucumbers improve hydration.

(Healthline)

According to vegetable consumption statistics, cucumbers are composed of 96% water and are especially effective at promoting hydration to meet your daily fluid intake needs.

Water is a crucial part of our body, making up most of our overall body weight. While we meet most of our intake requirements for fluids through drinking water, vegetables like cucumbers can also be an excellent source for keeping your body hydrated.

FAQs

What makes a vegetable a vegetable?

(Healthline)

Technically speaking, a fruit develops from the flower of a plant while the other parts of a plant are referred to as vegetables. Fruits contain seeds, while vegetables typically consist of stems, roots, and leaves.

How many vegetables are needed daily?

(Healthline)

Eating a substantial amount of vegetables is crucial to maintain good health. While most people may suggest that the more vegetables you eat, the better, it might not be the case. Most studies note that the most significant benefits of vegetables in a diet come from eating three to four portions of vegetables in a day.

What is the healthiest vegetable?

(Healthline)

Spinach is considered to be the healthiest vegetable due to its high nutritional content. It is high in beta carotene, vitamins K, A, antioxidants, and lutein. It also helps reduce the risk of contracting cancers and chronic diseases. A 2015 study found that spinach consumption is linked with a lower risk of heart disease since it lowers blood pressure.

What percent of Americans eat vegetables?

(CDC)

According to American food consumption statistics, just one in 10 adults meet the recommendations for vegetable consumption. The government guidelines recommend that adults eat at least two to three cups of vegetables in a day. Only 9.3% of all American adults meet these requirements.

How to increase vegetable consumption?

(Portneuf)

You can use several strategies to increase your daily vegetable consumption. Some of the creative ways to do that include adding shredded zucchini or pureed pumpkin to your meals to increase moisture content and add nutrients.

Adding frozen vegetables to casseroles and soups can increase vegetable consumption, and adding purees of vegetables to various sauces can help you increase vegetable consumption without even noticing.

Conclusion

Vegetable consumption trends vary drastically around the world. However, increasing the intake of vegetables is a necessary step that people need to take to improve their overall health. Most Americans don’t meet their recommended daily intake.

However, we hope that these vegetable consumption statistics will help you understand that vegetables are among the most essential parts of your daily diet.