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Diet transformation in Africa: The case of Ethiopia

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  • Hassen, Ibrahim Worku
  • Dereje, Mekdim
  • Minten, Bart
  • Hirvonen, Kalle

Abstract

Africa's food systems are changing fast amid rapid economic growth, emerging urbanization, and structural transformation. In this study, we use four rounds of nationally representative data from Ethiopia to examine changes in household food consumption patterns over a period of unprecedented economic growth. We find that while there is a general decline in the share of food in the total consumption basket of households in Ethiopia, food quantities and intake of calories have increased considerably over the period 1996 to 2011. This was mostly driven by improvements in household incomes, as shown using decomposition analysis. Furthermore, the content of the food basket is changing with a gradual shift towards high-value foods, such as animal products, fruits and vegetables, and processed foods. However, irrespective of the level of income, a heavy focus on starchy staples in the Ethiopian diet remains. Overall, this diet transformation has important implications for the food security debate and for agricultural and food policy in the country.

Suggested Citation

  • Hassen, Ibrahim Worku & Dereje, Mekdim & Minten, Bart & Hirvonen, Kalle, 2016. "Diet transformation in Africa: The case of Ethiopia," ESSP working papers 87, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
  • Handle: RePEc:fpr:esspwp:87
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    8. D'Haene, E. & Desiere, S. & D'Haese, M. & Verbeke, W. & Schoors, K., 2018. "Religion, food choices, and demand seasonality: Evidence from the Ethiopian milk market," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 276029, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
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    10. Fantu Nisrane Bachewe & Bart Minten, 2023. "Towards understanding vegetable and fruit markets for improved consumption and nutrition: The case of Ethiopia," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(4), pages 989-1005, August.
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    14. Lin, Jessie & Gupta, Anubhab, 2022. "Implications of Farm Size and Staple Production on Rural and Urban Food Security and Dietary Diversity," 96th Annual Conference, April 4-6, 2022, K U Leuven, Belgium 321161, Agricultural Economics Society - AES.
    15. Alan Gelb & Vijaya Ramachandran & Christian J. Meyer & Divyanshi Wadhwa & Kyle Navis, 2020. "Can Sub-Saharan Africa Be a Manufacturing Destination? Labor Costs, Price Levels, and the Role of Industrial Policy," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 335-357, June.
    16. Daniel A. Mekonnen & Elise F. Talsma & Laura Trijsburg & Vincent Linderhof & Thom Achterbosch & Aafke Nijhuis & Ruerd Ruben & Inge D. Brouwer, 2020. "Can household dietary diversity inform about nutrient adequacy? Lessons from a food systems analysis in Ethiopia," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 12(6), pages 1367-1383, December.
    17. Brassiolo, Pablo & Estrada, Ricardo & Vicuña, Sebastián & Odriozola, Juan & Toledo, Manuel & Juncosa, Federico & Fajardo, Gustavo & Schargrodsky, Ernesto, . "Desafíos globales, soluciones regionales: América Latina y el Caribe frente a la crisis climática y de biodiversidad," Report on Economic Development, CAF Development Bank Of Latinamerica, number 2089, March.
    18. Rosina Wanyama & Theda Gödecke & Christine G. K. Chege & Matin Qaim, 2019. "How important are supermarkets for the diets of the urban poor in Africa?," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 11(6), pages 1339-1353, December.
    19. Sakketa, Tekalign Gutu, 2022. "Urbanisation and rural development in developing countries: A review of pathways and impacts," IDOS Discussion Papers 5/2022, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    20. Brian Chisanga & Olipa Zulu-Mbata, 2018. "The changing food expenditure patterns and trends in Zambia: implications for agricultural policies," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(3), pages 721-740, June.
    21. Jody Harris & Brian Chisanga & Scott Drimie & Gina Kennedy, 2019. "Nutrition transition in Zambia: Changing food supply, food prices, household consumption, diet and nutrition outcomes," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 11(2), pages 371-387, April.
    22. Ameye, H., 2018. "Secondary Towns The Nutritional Sweet Spot. A study of East Africa," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277211, International Association of Agricultural Economists.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ETHIOPIA; EAST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; food consumption; households; diet; income; economic growth; structural change; energy value; starch equivalent; calorie intakes; decomposition; O12 Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development; Q18 Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; D12 Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • D - Microeconomics

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