Australian Bureau of Statistics
Celebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013

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EXPLANATORY NOTES


INTRODUCTION

1 This publication contains detailed statistics on the apparent consumption of foodstuffs in Australia. Estimates of total consumption and per capita consumption are included. In the context of this publication, 'consumption' is not 'intake'. Apparent consumption data for most items are derived using information relating to the supply and utilisation of foodstuffs. Limitations inherent in this approach mean that the data are an approximate estimate of foodstuffs available for consumption by persons in Australia, after allowing for other uses and losses.

2 Information on supply (production, change in stocks, and imports), and utilisation (exports, non-food use, and use in processed food) are also included in this publication for most data items.


SCOPE AND COVERAGE

3 In general, the scope includes all foodstuffs available for consumption by the Australian population, including fats and oils, some beverages and sugars. Whilst every attempt is made to cover the food groups listed, for some food groups information on home production, changes in stock levels, or volumes of product wasted are not available.

4 Due to the varied sources of data used for compiling this publication, the scope and coverage can differ for the various data items. Much of the data is sourced from ABS statistical collections, such as the Agricultural Commodity Survey and the Survey of Inventories and Production–Food and Beverage Manufacturers. Other sources include industry associations and government regulatory authorities. Details of the sources for the various food groups, and the implications on scope and coverage are contained in the glossary.

5 In general, apparent consumption of the various foodstuffs is estimated from the following equation:

Apparent consumption =
Commercial production
+ Estimated home production
+ Imports
+ Opening stocks
MINUS
Exports
+ Usage for processed food
+ Non-food use
+ Wastage
+ Closing stocks

6 Per capita apparent consumption is total apparent consumption divided by the mean population for the period.


POPULATION DATA

7 Population data are derived from those published in Australian Demographic Statistics (Cat. no. 3101.0). Figures are revised as more recent data becomes available.

8 The following mean population figures (for the year ended 30 June) are used in this issue:

Average 3			Individual
years ended	no.		years	no.
1938-39	6,870,261		1993-94	17,766,184
1948-49	7,651,558		1994-95	17,961,429
1958-59	8,651,558		1995-96	18,194,890
1968-69	11,919,046		1996-97	r18,425,879
1978-79	14,275,870		1997-98	18,627,900
1988-89	16,408,095		1998-99	18,853,540

• Agriculture, Australia (Cat. no. 7113.0)

• Livestock Products, Australia (Cat. no. 7215.0)

• Home Production of Selected Foodstuffs, Australia, 1992 (Cat. no. 7110.0)

• International Merchandise Trade, Australia (Cat. no. 5422.0)

• Manufacturing Production, Australia (Cat. no. 8301.0)

• Manufacturing Production, Commodities Produced, Australia (Cat. no. 8365.0)

• National Nutrition Survey: Foods Eaten, Australia (Cat. no. 4804.0)

• National Health Survey: Summary of Results (Cat. no. 4364.0)

• Sales of Australian Wine and Brandy by Winemakers (Cat. no. 8504.0)