An Analysis of Household Foods Demand in Rural Burundi

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the roles of income and other socioeconomic variables such as household size, land size, head of household education level, raising the animals, source of income on food demand in rural Burundi. The demands for food and nutrients among the households in rural Burundi were examined using a recent survey done by the authors. An almost ideal demand system (AIDS) was employed to estimate the price and expenditure elasticities and the impact of socioeconomic variables on food demand patterns. An econometric model was then used to analyze the determinants of food demand. The estimated expenditure elasticities for the food groups range from 0.64 for oils to 1.36 for meats. These outcomes showed that there is a higher expenditure elasticities for meats, fish, and animal products, as well as cereals and grains. The results showed that the income and other socioeconomic variables exerted significant effects on food demand. The income and other socioeconomic variables exerted a significant impact on the food demand, and higher expenditure elasticity for food group items will increase remarkably with rising income.