flour
Consumption figures in 2016 and 2017 were the smallest since 130 pounds in 1990.
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Per capita consumption of flour in 2017 was 131.8 pounds, nearly unchanged from 131.7 pounds in 2016, according to data published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. The figures compare with 133 pounds in 2015, 134.7 pounds in 2014 and 135 pounds in 2013. While 2017 ended a three-year streak of per capita consumption declines, the figures in both 2016 and 2017 were the smallest since 130 pounds in 1990. The recent peak for per capita consumption was seven years later — 147 pounds in 1997.

Flour production in 2017 was a record 426.396 million cwts, up 0.6% from 423.846 million cwts in 2016. The increase was smaller than the 0.77% increase in the U.S. population in 2017 to 327.997 million (calendar-year average). The failure of flour production to keep pace with population growth was offset by a 16% decrease in flour exports in 2017 to 6.19 million cwts from 7.368 million cwts in 2016.