The charts illustrate the structure of consumer expenditure on food and beverages for the average household in the UK, China, and Australia in 2012.
Overall, a significant share of the budget was spent on fruit and vegetables, as well as high-fat and high-sugar foods, in all three countries, although the distribution of expenditures shows significant cross-country differences.
In the UK, fruit and vegetables accounted for the largest share of total expenditure, accounting for 31% of total expenditure. Starchy foods came in second (28%), while dairy products and non-dietary protein sources accounted for 17% and 11%, respectively. Expenditure on high-fat and high-sugar foods was relatively modest at 13%.
In China, the expenditure structure was more balanced. Fruit and vegetables, as well as high-fat and high-sugar foods, each accounted for 23%, while starchy foods accounted for 26%. Dairy products accounted for the smallest share, accounting for only 12%. In Australia, there was a more even distribution of expenditure, with dairy and fatty foods each accounting for 22%, fruit and vegetables for 24%, while non-dietary protein and starchy foods accounted for 13% and 19%, respectively.