The effect of household income and seasonal price changes on household food expenditure patterns. A case study of Vihiga District

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of food price changes and relative household incomes on household food expenditure patterns in Kenya. Primary data on household budgets and monthly market prices for selected food items were collected in two agroecological zones of Vihiga district (Western Province) for the main crop year 1993/1994. The study reveals a significant effect of seasonal price fluctuations on household food expenditure patterns. This is exhibited by reduced food expenditures and, by implication, reduced food consumption during the preharvest season. The study concludes that the combined effects of high population growth rates, high population density leading to declining or stagnant food production capacities, and the adverse effects of high food prices caused by the effects of the ongoing structural adjustment programmes will continue to increase food demand in rural areas and reduce purchasing power of households, with adverse effects on the welfare of the population. (Food and Nutrition Studies Programme Report no. 57, 1995)