Changes in food consumption patterns in the Republic of Korea

Urbanization and income growth explain the increasing consumption of beef, pork, chicken, and wheat flour, and the proportionate decline in the consumption of rice, barley and fish. Continuing urbanization and income growth should simply reinforce these trends. The same phenomenon is occurring in other rapidly growing Asian countries with similar dietary profiles. The implications for estimating demand are important. First, there is a declining trend in the income elasticity of rice, which became negative in the 1980s. So, rice surpluses will grow if production growth rates are not reduced. Second, the relatively high own-price elasticities for meats - particularly beef and pork - imply that reduced protection for Korea meat producers would significantly increase per capita meat consumption.