ABSTRACT

Of all the human requirements, food is obviously the most basic need because it is required for human existence. The objectives of the study include to examine the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, to determine the share of different food items on household income, to estimate the price, income and expenditure elasticities for the food items, to examine the factors influencing expenditure on food and to examine the relationship between household income and expenditure on different food items. The study was conducted in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Data was collected with the use of a questionnaire that captured all the variables needed for the analysis to be carried out. Objective one was analyzed by the use of tables, percentages frequencies and mean, objective two was analyzed by the use of tables and percentages. objective three was canied out by the use of price, income amid expenditure elasticities, objective four was analyzed by the use of regression analysis and objective five was analyzed by the use of correlation analysis. From the analysis conducted, it was found out that the respondents were aged between 31-50 years. The result also shows that meat was time highest income consuming food item. Also time price, income and expenditure elasticities were inelastic implying that price, income and expenditure changes may not have huge effect or changes on the quantity of food items demanded. In conclusion households are advised to spend more money judiciously on nutrition food items so as to improve their standard of feeding.