In 2018, all commodity groups in food and beverages increased. The largest increase was the group of mineral water, soft drinks and juices. The group increased by 11 percent between 2017 and 2018 and in total it was sold for SEK 19.5 billion, according to the authority.

At the same time, the Swedes are becoming increasingly useless. Last year sales of sweets increased by 7.8 percent, while fruit increased by 5.5 percent and vegetables by 6.5 percent.

Sales of candy per capita (per person) amounted to SEK 2,289 last year, which corresponds to a weekly sales of approximately SEK 44 per person. The corresponding figure for the fruit landed at SEK 30 per week.

- This is a trend that has existed for several years. It is very much because the prices have increased more on sweets than just fruit, says Daniel Wester, Statistics at Statistics Sweden, about the development.

Non-alcoholic beverages are increasing

However, it is not just the consumption of sweet that is increasing. Last year, non-alcoholic beverages were sold for SEK 27 billion, which is an increase of 8 percent, compared with 2017. Above all, energy drinks account for the large increase.

Consumption of non-alcoholic beer, which, despite its name, is also included in the group of alcoholic beverages is increasing. In 2018, alcoholic beverages were sold for SEK 41.9 billion in Sweden, an increase of 5.5 percent since 2017.

- What is most surprising is that alcohol-free beer and energy drinks are increasing very much compared to all other product groups, says Daniel Wester.

He believes a reasonable explanation for the increase is that retailers have invested a great deal in the exposure of these goods in advertising and signage in recent years.