Family income, food prices, and household purchases of fruits and vegetables in Brazil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102010000600005Keywords:
Food, economics, Income, Food Consumption, Fruit, Greens, Diet Surveys, PricesAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of family income and food prices on the participation of fruits and vegetables in the food purchases of Brazilian households. METHODS: Data analyzed refers to the Household Budget Survey conducted by the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística on a probabilistic sample of 48,470 Brazilian households between 2002 and 2003. Fruit and vegetable participation in total food purchases was expressed as a percentage of total calories purchased and as calories from fruit and vegetables adjusted for total calories purchased. A multiple regression analysis was employed to estimate elasticity coefficients, controlling for sociodemographic variables and price of other foods. RESULTS: Fruit and vegetable participation in total food purchases increased as the price of these foods decreased, or as income increased. A 1% decrease in the price of fruit and vegetables would increase their participation by 0.79%, whereas a 1% increase in family income would increase participation by 0.27%. The effect of income tended to be smaller among higher income strata. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the price of fruit and vegetables, either by supporting their production or through fiscal measures, is a promising public policy instrument, capable of increasing the participation of these foods in the diet of the Brazilian population.Downloads
Published
2010-12-01
Issue
Section
Original Articles
How to Cite
Claro, R. M., & Monteiro, C. A. (2010). Family income, food prices, and household purchases of fruits and vegetables in Brazil . Revista De Saúde Pública, 44(6), 1014-1020. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102010000600005