Determinants of demand for prepared meals in Greece

Abstract

In this paper the factors affecting demand for prepared meals by Greek households are
investigated assuming a two-step decision process. A selectivity model is employed to derive the
necessary elasticities using information at household level gathered by the National Statistical
Service of Greece. Household income, size and age composition, age, occupation and education
of the person responsible for food purchases as well as area population, were all important
determinants in one or both stages of the decision process. According to the results this food
category behaves mostly as a luxury and it is associated more to the available free time of the
family adults and less to a model that stresses the opportunity cost of time of the working family
members.