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Cross-Sectional Analysis of Household Food Demand in Estuaire Gabon: A Near-Ideal Quadratic Demand System Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Charlene Ignanga

    (Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work and jointly share the first authorship.)

  • Yu Chen

    (Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work and jointly share the first authorship.)

  • Yining Zhao

    (Sunwah International Business School, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110136, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work and jointly share the first authorship.)

  • Heguang Liu

    (Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Wen Yu

    (Agricultural Information Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China)

Abstract

Gabon depends heavily on food imports to safeguard its food security; yet household food consumption patterns remain underexplored. This study investigates the structure of food demand in the Estuaire region, incorporating demographic determinants such as the age of the household head, household size, youth proportion, and residential distance from shopping centers. Using primary data collected from a randomized survey of 410 households, the analysis employs the Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) model to estimate expenditure and price elasticities. The results indicate that expenditure elasticities are universally positive, with luxury items, including meat, eggs, and fish, exhibiting greater sensitivity compared to staple foods such as poultry, oil, rice, cassava, and bananas, which display inelastic demand. Price elasticities for meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and rice are negative, adhering to the law of demand. Demographic factors, including education, age, and residential location, significantly influence the consumption of meat, cassava, bananas, and oil. Household size, employment type, and youth composition also emerge as critical determinants of increased demand for poultry, fish, and rice. These findings offer policy-relevant insights to strengthen food security and address socioeconomic disparities.

Suggested Citation

  • Charlene Ignanga & Yu Chen & Yining Zhao & Heguang Liu & Wen Yu, 2025. "Cross-Sectional Analysis of Household Food Demand in Estuaire Gabon: A Near-Ideal Quadratic Demand System Approach," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:268-:d:1577843
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    References listed on IDEAS

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