The estimation of food demand elasticities in Canada : Estimation des élasticités de la demande alimentaire au Canada

The report begins with a description of changing trends in many of the demographic and eco- nomic variables that impact the consumer demand for food and food products in Canada, including disposable income, household size, type and age of household head. [...] Knowing the price responsiveness allows us to anticipate the impact of market devel- opments and policy changes on both the welfare and performance of the agriculture and agri- food sector and on Canadian consumers. [...] The Estimation of Food Demand Elasticities in Canada 1 SECTION 2 Demographics and the trends in food consumption and expenditure in Canada We are interested in looking at the various demographic variables that may explain the observed changes in consumers’ demand. [...] The Estimation of Food Demand Elasticities in Canada 7 Food consumption and expenditure in Canada forces behind the changing consumer demands for food in Canada. [...] Quantities of each of the various food categories in the detailed food category file in the database are expressed in different units of measurement such as litres, kilograms and number of units.