Archive · 24 Sep 2025
Indian Food Spending Habits Evolve Over Decades
Imagine how much of your money goes to different kinds of food!
In India, people used to spend a lot on things like rice and beans (cereals and pulses) back in 1988.
But by 2023, they were spending less on those.
People started spending more on fruits, nuts, and vegetables, showing they're eating healthier.
Spending on meat, fish, and eggs went up too, meaning people are eating more protein.
Dairy spending went down.
Things like salt, sugar, oil, and spices stayed about the same because they're always needed in cooking.
Spending on cereals and pulses decreased significantly between 1988 and 2023.
Expenditure on fruits, nuts, and vegetables increased over the same period.
Dairy product spending declined from its peak in the early 2000s.
The share of spending on animal protein rose considerably.
Spending on essential items like salt, sugar, oil, and spices remained stable.
- Who
- Indian households
- What
- Changes in food spending habits over time
- When
- 1988 to 2023
- Where
- India
- Why
- To understand shifts in food consumption patterns
- Cereals & Pulses Spending (1988)
- 43% of food budget
- Cereals & Pulses Spending (2023)
- 14% of food budget
- Fruits, Nuts & Vegetables Spending (1988)
- 12% of food budget
- Fruits, Nuts & Vegetables Spending (2023)
- 20% of food budget
- Animal Protein Spending (1988)
- 5% of food budget
- Animal Protein Spending (2023)
- 15% of food budget