Estimating the impacts of rising food prices on nutrient intake in urban China

The nutritional impacts of rising food prices on urban households across income classes are assessed using the 2004 NBS urban household survey data for Jiangsu province of China. Empirical results from this study suggest that the across-the-board food price increase is expected to have a substantial adverse impact on nutritional well-being of urban households and in particular, the poor. Moreover, an increase in the price of food grains alone will have the largest adverse impact on calorie and protein intakes, whereas an increase in price of oils and fats only will induce the largest reduction in fat intake.

► The demand elasticities for individual food groups are estimated. ► The elasticities of nutrient intake for calorie, protein, and fat are calculated. ► The nutritional consequences due to changes in food prices are simulated. ► The minimum increases in expenditures due to changes in food prices are computed.