Malayalis spend less on food, more on luxury

KOCHI: When white goods manufacturers and those from the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) turn to Kerala to push their latest products, they have a valid reason.Kerala has once again topped the country in household monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) as per the recently published findings of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). The people in God’s own country have also reached a stage in their progress where they spend more on consumables than food.The once-in-five year survey reveals that in terms of consumer expenditure, Kerala has again pulled away to the number one position, with its per capita expenditure at Rs 2124, against the national average of Rs 1519. Kerala’s expense on food is Rs 906 or 42 per cent of its total expenditure chart, by far the lowest in the country. In comparison, a state like Bihar with the lowest MPCE of Rs 1,009 spends Rs 580 which is 57 per cent on food.“Food is for existence... Keralites have moved beyond this basic need. They enjoy a life of luxury and hence the high spending on durable goods,” points out James Varghese, Principal Secretary, Local Self Government Department.Even as Kerala is pulling away in this direction, all other southern states have food high on their priority list. As per the NSSO finding, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are all spending close to 50 per cent on food.Last time round, when the  survey was conducted, Kerala had led the other states with a per capita expenditure of Rs 1,151 while the national average was a lowly Rs 850.“The low spending on food is not an issue for the middle-class upwards. It is when the poor try an indulgent lifestyle and food takes a backseat, that is indeed dangerous,” says M Parameswaran, Lecturer, Centre for Development Studies.