The Level and Differentiation of Food Consumption in the Mazowsze Region

Abstract

The paper presents an analysis and evaluation of food consumption in the Mazowieckie voivodeship basing on the data of representative surveys of household budgets carried out by the Central Statistical Office (GUS). The consumption of the principal groups of foodstuffs has been compared at the voivodeship/Poland and rural/urban/Warsaw levels. The analyzed statistical data for 2006 show that the households in the Mazowieckie voivodeship are characterized by a higher than average consumption of relatively expensive food articles, with a higher indicator of the income elasticity of demand. These articles include meat (especially beef and veal), fruit juices and mineral water. Judging by the examined data food consumption in the region is, with some exceptions, higher in rural households. These exceptions include fresh and processed fruits, fruit and vegetable juices, stimulants (tea and coffee), beef, fish, cheese and butter. Warsaw households are characterized by the highest consumption of meat, fish and cheese as well as juices and stimulants. The phenomenon of territorial differentiation of food consumption should be carefully studied, and further taken into consideration during work on instruments serving the development of the food economy in the Mazowieckie voivodeship and food policy for the region.