Elasticidade-renda de qualidade, de dispêndio e de uma demanda de carne bovina, em São Luís, Maranhão

Resumo

Three potencial models in which the variables were presented in decimal logarithm on the basis of the observed values were selected. In the first model the endogenal variable was the per-capita expenditure for beef; in the second model the dependent variable was the per-capita consumption of this product, and in the third model the explained variable was the price taken as an indication of beef quality. In the three models the exogenous variables were per-capita income, family unit size and the number of children less than 12 years old in each unit. 

It was found that the average consumption of beef was 3.5 kg per capita per month. The per-capita expenditure was Cr$ 38.000 per month. The average consumer price was Cr$ 11.00 per kg, averaging between Cr$ 9.00 and Cr$ 12.50 in 68% of the observed families.

A typical family unit had an average income level of Cr$ 404.00 per-capita per month, calculated at 6.5 adults and 1.7 children less than 12 years old.

It was verified that Engel’s functions and the demand functions for beef were income inelastic and that income influenced, directly and significantly, the quality of beef purchased by the consumer residents of the city of Sao Luis.