The line graph depicts the annual cheese consumption per capita in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland from 1980 to 2020.
Overall, England consistently exhibited the highest cheese consumption, while Northern Ireland experienced the lowest average consumption. Scotland and Wales displayed fluctuations throughout the period, converging towards lower average cheese consumption by 2020.
England commenced with the highest cheese consumption at just over 110 kilograms per person in 1980. This figure increased to 125 kilograms in 1990 before declining to 100 kilograms in 2000. While there was a slight upward trend for Scotland from 50 to 75 kilograms between 1980 and 1990, Wales witnessed a reduction from 75 to 50 kilograms during the same period. In contrast, Northern Ireland displayed gradual growth, rising from 50 kilograms in 1980 to above 75 kilograms in 1990.
Despite England’s initial dominance, its cheese consumption stabilized at 100 kilograms from 2000 onwards. Scotland experienced a further rise to 75 kilograms in 2010, followed by a decline to just above 50 kilograms in 2020. Wales, after reaching almost 100 kilograms in 2000, dipped below 75 kilograms in 2010 and fell significantly to 25 kilograms in 2020. Northern Ireland, on the other hand, maintained a steady consumption of 75 kilograms from 2000 to 2010 and then slightly increased to above 75 kilograms in 2020.