Fish Consumption Profile of Cochin Households

Fish forms an integral part of the diet of the non-vegetarian population of Kerala. This paper examines the food consumption profile of selected households in Cochin with reference to different income categories. The average consumption expenditure at mid point of the income classes is more than double the corresponding consumption expenditure for the lowest income group. The total food consumption expenditure tends to plateau off as income increases. The highest four classes of households do not spend more than one-sixth of their income on food consumption. Of the four items of meat, fish, milk and eggs, fish appears to be the most preferred food. The highest three income groups spend almost as much on fish as on staple food. This shows that household income is an important determinant of demand for fish.