The Impact of Food Prices on Consumption: A Systematic Review of Research on the Price Elasticity of Demand for Food
Open accessAbstract
In light of proposals to improve diets by shifting food prices, it is important to understand how price changes affect demand for various foods. We reviewed 160 studies on the price elasticity of demand for major food categories to assess mean elasticities by food category and variations in estimates by study design. Price elasticities for foods and nonalcoholic beverages ranged from 0.27 to 0.81 (absolute values), with food away from home, soft drinks, juice, and meats being most responsive to price changes (0.7–0.8). As an example, a 10% increase in soft drink prices should reduce consumption by 8% to 10%. Studies estimating price effects on substitutions from unhealthy to healthy food and price responsiveness among at-risk populations are particularly needed.
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A systematic review of 160 studies assessed the observational relations of food prices with demand and consumption behavior in major food categories in the United States.
“A systematic review of 160 studies assessed the observational relations of food prices with demand and consumption behavior in major food categories in the United States.”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [166]
All of these were cross-sectional studies, and only a few examined both direct and cross-price elasticity or effects on total energy intake.
“All of these were cross-sectional studies, and only a few examined both direct and cross-price elasticity or effects on total energy intake.”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [166]
On the basis of data from the systematic review described above, the authors estimated that a 10% increase in the price of sugar-sweetened beverages would decrease consumption by 8% to 10%.
“On the basis of data from the systematic review described above, the authors estimated that a 10% increase in the price of sugar-sweetened beverages would decrease consumption by 8% to 10%.166”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [166]
Consumption of foods eaten away from home, soft drinks, juice, and meats had the strongest associations with price differences across regions (r=±0.7-0.8).
“Consumption of foods eaten away from home, soft drinks, juice, and meats had the strongest associations with price differences across regions (r=±0.7–0.8).166”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [166]
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- Authors
- Andreyeva, T., Long, M. W., & Brownell, K. D.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Venue
- American Journal of Public Health
- Publisher
- American Public Health Association
- Published
- 2010-02
- Volume
- 100
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 216-222
- ISSN
- 0090-0036 (ISSN-L)
- 1541-0048
- PMC
- PMC2804646
- OpenAlex
- W2076181356
- Cited by
- 1,141
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 43 · 2025: 65 · 2024: 68 · 2023: 46 · 2022: 75 · 2021: 101 · 2020: 78 · 2019: 70 · 2018: 78 · 2017: 91 · 2016: 71 · 2015: 70 · 2014: 78 · 2013: 69 · 2012: 63
- FWCI
- 14.15
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- American Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Rudd Foundation
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Economics of Agriculture and Food Markets
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Marketing › Consumer Market Behavior and Pricing
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
- Keywords
- food prices, price elasticity, dietary intake, soft drinks, eating out, meat consumption, non-alcoholic beverages, diet quality, food policy, vulnerable populations
- MeSH terms
- Consumer Behavior, Costs and Cost Analysis, Food, Food Preferences, Humans, Taxes, United States, Models, Econometric, Nutrition Policy, Food Industry, Economic Recession
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