ISHS Acta Horticulturae 524: XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 14: Horticultural Economics at Micro and Macro Level, International Trade and Marketing, International Cooperative Programs, Relations between Research, Development, Extension and Education
THE DECISION PROCESS AND THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS DETERMINING ALMOND DEMAND IN SPAIN |
| Authors: | S. Ekinci, A. Gracia, L.M. Albisu |
| Keywords: | Decision process, socio-economic, almond, demand, Spain |
| Abstract:
Spain is the second world almond producer and exporter, behind the USA. Per capita consumption is relatively high but it increased until early 90's and decreased by 25%, in quantitative terms, since then. In addition, almond consumption is moving from consumption at home to away from home, so that household almond purchases have decreased even more sharply. Nuts are considered in Spain as typical Christmas products and their consumption raises during that time of the year. While average nut consumption during the first eleven months accounts for 0.1 kg per capita, in December this figure is multiplied by three. Moreover, the proportion of households buying nuts is higher in December than in the rest of the year. Around 30% of total households buy nuts during the year and 50% in December. The objective of this paper is to analyse almond consumption at home during December using data from the latest Household Expenditure Survey (1990/91). This survey provided information on household expenditure and quantity bought of different food products. It also gathered information about socio-demographic household characteristics. A Dependence Double-Hurdle Model has been specified and estimated because of the high number of almond non-consumers households recorded. Town size and education level are statistically significant among the available socio-demographic factors. Total nut expenditure plus almonds, walnuts and peanuts prices are determinant factors explaining almond consumption. If total nut expenditure increases, almond consumption increases more than proportionally. Almond demand is price elastic and it competes with peanut and walnut consumption. | |
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