27.07.2010 - Oslo

Norwegians are no more a Potato-Eating-Nation

Norway has fallen to the bottom in the potato consumption among European countries. The statistics from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, FAOSTAT reverse the potato-lover Norwegians image.

Photo: Scott Bauer | The United Nations FAO reports that the world production of potatoes in 2008 was 314 million tonnes. The annual diet of an average global citizen in the first decade of the twenty-first century included about 33 kg (or 73 lb) of potato

According to NRK's report, Pasta -loving Italians eat far more potatoes than Norwegians. While every Italian eat 39 kilograms potatoes a year , only 32 kg potato is consumed by each person in Norway.

The decrease in the potato consumption has decreased six kg in a few years and Norway fell to the bottom in Europe. However, more processed potato productions were sold at the same time.

Norwegian Statistics Agency (SSB) also verifies that Norway is no longer a country of potato eaters. Since 1958, the consumption of potatoes has halved. While Norwegians eat less fish and potato, the the consumption of fruit and vegetables has increased.