Comparative analysis of the animal products consumption in developing countries: The case study of the South Asian countries

Abstract

Being the most populous countries of South Asia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh represent about 37% of the world total undernourished population. In these three countries, the growing place of animal products can be observed in the diets, but the levels consumed for animal products remained very low as compared to the world mean. The consumption behaviour of animal products for three countries is presented in the study. Expenditure elasticities, own and cross compensated as well as non-compensated price elasticities of main animal products of these countries are calculated by using a LA/AIDS model applied to yearly data. Milk is income as well as price elastic in Pakistan while all other animal products in all three countries are relatively price inelastic. On the other hand, chicken and eggs are relatively income elastic. The results are compared with other authors in detail. The impact of some government policies to improve the protein and calorie intake by the actions on income and prices for the most vulnerable consumers (low income group) in these countries is also evaluated for Pakistan.