The line graph illustrates the trends in the consumption of three types of spreads—Margarine, Low Fat & Reduced Spreads, and Butter—from 1981 to 2007.
Overall, the data indicates a marked decline in the consumption of all spreads towards the end of the period, with Butter maintaining the highest consumption levels throughout.
In 1981, Margarine consumption commenced at approximately 140 grams, reaching its zenith of about 160 grams in 1986, before experiencing a substantial decrease to roughly 80 grams by 2007. Conversely, Low Fat & Reduced Spreads began at a mere 10 grams in 1981, exhibiting significant growth as it surged to around 80 grams by 1991, culminating in a peak of 100 grams in 1996, followed by a notable decline to just above 40 grams by the end of the period.
The trajectory of Butter consumption depicted a different pattern, starting at 100 grams in 1981 and declining to approximately 60 grams by 1986. After this point, Butter consumption fluctuated between 60 and 80 grams until 2001, ultimately decreasing to about 40 grams by 2007. This trend reveals not only the initial dominance of Butter in the spread market but also its gradual erosion in popularity, paralleling the decline seen in Margarine and Low Fat & Reduced Spreads.