Per Capita flour consumption in U.S. declines again

The Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its Wheat Outlook confirmed per capita all-wheat flour consumption in the United States declined for a second consecutive year. The ERS estimated 2009 per capita all-wheat flour consumption at 134.7 pounds, down 1.8 pounds from 136.5 pounds in 2008 and down 3.4 pounds from 138.1 pounds in 2007.

Flour use rose for two years in a row from the recent low of 134.3 pounds in 2005 to 138.1 pounds (in 2007). This 2005 low was reached after sharp declines in per capita use from 146.3 pounds in 2000, apparently due to increased consumer interest in low-carbohydrate diets.

The decline in per capita all-wheat flour consumption contributed to a reduction in the USDA’s forecast of food use of wheat in 2009-10.