beverages-processed-foods-lead-urban-consumption

Households across rural and urban areas spent the highest share of their consumption expenditure on 'beverages, refreshments, and processed food' in 2022-23.

However, some states deviated from this trend, favoring 'milk and milk products' or 'egg, fish, and meat', according to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23 released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

In rural regions, Haryana households allocated the highest percentage of their food expenditure to 'milk and milk products' at 41.7%. In contrast, Kerala's rural households spent the most on 'egg, fish, and meat' at 23.5%.

Urban areas showed a similar pattern. Rajasthan's households spent the most on 'milk and milk products' at 33.2%, closely followed by Haryana (33.1%) and Punjab (32.3%). Kerala again led in 'egg, fish, and meat' consumption, with 19.8% of total food expenditure.

Other states also showed a preference for 'milk and milk products' over 'beverages and processed food'. In rural areas, Rajasthan (35.5%), Punjab (34.7%), Gujarat (25.5%), Uttar Pradesh (22.6%), and Madhya Pradesh (21.5%) all had significant expenditures in this category.

Despite these exceptions, 'beverages and processed food' accounted for the highest share of food consumption expenditure in other major states, with Tamil Nadu leading at 28.4% in rural areas and 33.7% in urban areas.

Nationally, food made up about 46% of household consumption spending in rural India. 'Beverages, refreshments, and processed food' topped the list at 9.62%, followed by 'milk and milk products' at 8.33%, and vegetables at 5.38%. Cereals and cereal substitutes accounted for 4.91% of food expenditure.

In urban India, food expenditure was about 39% of average monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) in 2022-23. 'Beverages, refreshments, and processed food' had the highest share at 10.64%, followed by 'milk and milk products' at 7.22%, with fruits and vegetables each accounting for 3.8%.

For non-food items, households in both rural and urban areas spent the most on conveyance. This was followed by expenses on durable goods, miscellaneous goods, entertainment, medical expenses, and fuel and light.