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Which vegetables are most popular

The vegetables in the top 12 have basically remained the same, although there is some variation in the actual positions. The exceptions are potatoes and tomatoes which have consistently remained the top two. Lettuce has jumped from number 6 to number 3 – possibly due to the inclusion of pre-packed salad greens in this definition.

As the Aggregate Annual Expenditure by all Private Households has increased, almost all of these categories have experienced a financial increase in their category. Peppers showed an increase of 33% from 24.805 to 33.087 ($millions). Asparagus and cucumber/gherkins both experienced a 29% increase. Expenditure on tomatoes has slowed to a 7% increase in 2006/7 compared to a 25% increase from 2000/1 to 2003/4.

Fresh potatoes experienced a 5% increase from 81.751 – 86.288 ($ millions). Potato products in the same period showed a growth of 34,744 to 41,400 ($ millions) representing a 19% growth. Together the potato category has risen from 107,579 to 123,151 ($ millions) representing a 15% growth. Fresh herbs have experienced considerable market growth. Previously unranked, they now appear at number 20. Peppers (including chillies) and eggplant continue to increase.

Taro has experienced a large decline from number 20 in 2003/4 to being unranked in 2006/7. Swedes and cress/puha/watercress were unranked in 2006/7. Figures separating organic from conventionally grown produce are not given.

Ranking of vegetables based on household expenditure

 rank 1973 1983 1994/95 2003/04 206/07
1 Potatoes Potatoes Potatoes Tomatoes Potatoes
2 Tomatoes Tomatoes Tomatoes Potatoes Tomatoes
3 Cabbage Carrots Carrots Mushrooms Lettuce
4 Carrots Lettuce Lettuce Carrots Mushrooms
5 Onions Cabbage Onions Broccoli Carrots
6 Lettuce Cauliflower Mushrooms Lettuce Peppers
7 Cauliflower Pumpkin Broccoli Kumara Broccoli
8 Pumpkin Mushrooms Cauliflower Onions Kumara
9 Kumara Onions Cabbage Peppers Onions
10 Mushrooms Kumara Kumara Cucumber Cucumber
11 Celery Celery Pumpkin Cauliflower Gourds
12 Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Pumpkin Cabbage
13 Brussels Sprouts Taro Peppers Cabbage Cauliflower
14 Taro Broccoli Courgettes Courgettes Courgettes
15 Parsnips Brussels Sprouts Celery Beans Asparagus
16 Corn Beans Veg shoots Asparagus Beans
17 Beans Asparagus Asparagus Spring Onions Parsnips
18 Asparagus Courgettes Beans Celery Corn
19 Silverbeet Parsnips Taro Parsnips Celery
20 Swedes Peppers Spring Onions Taro Fresh Herbs

Green - increasing expenditure
Red - decreasing expenditure