CONSUMPTION PATTERN OF FRUITS IN A SELECTED AREA OF BANGLADESH

This study was an attempt to examine the consumption pattern and the factors affecting consumption of fruits in an area of Gazipur district. Consumption of fresh fruits in rural area was higher than that of urban area. Rural people mainly consumed fruits from their own production, whereas urban peoples' main source was purchase. Sharp seasonal variation in consumption was found in the study area; peak period consumption was about twenty one times higher than that of slack period. Urban consumers consumed proportionately more amount of banana, papaya, pineapple and citrus fruits than their rural counterpart. Fruit consumption was affected by the amount available from own production and income of the consumer. Education and knowledge about fruits had little or no impact on fruit consumption