While 73 per cent of Irish people eat four or more portions of fruit or vegetables on a daily basis, concern has been expressed that younger age groups and lower-income groups consume less fresh produce.
Mr Michael Maloney, the chief executive of An Bord Glas, said yesterday that a promotion of fresh Irish produce due to take place all next week would focus on the young.
"The research we have commissioned has revealed that younger people and the lower-income groups are still not eating the recommended four or more portions of fruit and vegetables daily for a healthy and balanced diet," he said.
However, Mr Maloney said that research had shown that fruit and vegetable consumption had increased by 4 per cent since 1998 and, compared with three years ago, 39 per cent were eating more fruit and 29 per cent were eating more vegetables.
As in previous research, he claimed, Irish consumption of vegetables and potatoes was found to be above average but consumption of fruit was below the European average.
And while competitive products such as rice, pasta and pizza had grown marginally in terms of consumption, the Irish love for potatoes has remained undiminished.
The sample survey found that 99 per cent of the consumers ate potatoes weekly and 72 per cent ate chips once a week.