The Impact Of Price Changes And Trends On Demand For Meat In Nigeria

Abstract

This study determines the responsiveness of demand for meat to variations in prices and incomes on the basis of food demand data for the time period between 1980 to 2001 using an Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) model.  These findings are reasonable given the position that beef holds as the dominant and traditional meat in Nigeria.  These elasticities also imply that beef and chicken are luxury goods, while other fish and demersal fish are normal goods for Nigeria households consistent with the findings of previous studies. With the exception of some cross-price elasticities, the majority of the price elasticities exhibit the expected signs and magnitudes.  This indicates that demand for beef and other meat Nigeria is very price elastic.  In general, the results suggest that own-prices as well as incomes are the predominant factors determining consumer choice and meat consumption patterns in Nigeria rather than relative prices.