Determining the Vulnerability of Urban Households Due to Rising Food Prices

This study aimed at investigating the effect of severe food price increases on family nutrition pattern in 2019 and determining the level of consumer vulnerability. For this purpose, the vulnerability of urban households in Azadshahr County as one of the most critical areas of Golestan province of Iran in terms of food security was evaluated and analyzed. The required information was collected through the questionnaire of food expenditure and household income and with the help of Golestan Health Center. In order to obtain the results, the Quadratic ideal demand system (QAIDS) was estimated by dividing the urban households with higher and lower average incomes. Then, the vulnerability index of the households was calculated after food price increase. The results showed that after rising prices, the households were in poor condition, so that the vulnerability index for the higher and lower income groups was 15.04 and 25.4, respectively. This fact emphasizes the need for consumer protection to improve food security and standard of living.