Understanding the Increase in Querétaro’s Food Expenditure
Querétaro, a state in central Mexico, has seen a significant rise in household food spending. According to the National Survey of Household Income and Expenditure (ENIGH), the segment of “food, beverages, and tobacco” has experienced a 15.2% increase in spending between 2022 and 2024.
The Rising Cost of Food in Querétaro
In 2022, the quarterly expenditure on food-related items was 18,623 pesos. By 2024, this figure had risen to 21,446 pesos, reflecting an increase of 7,743 pesos over two years. This growth is part of a broader trend where four key spending categories saw increases above the average 14.4% rise in overall household expenditure.
Comparison with Other Entities
Querétaro ranked second in Mexico for average current expenditure, just below the Federal District (Mexico City) which had an average of 66,383 pesos. The state experienced a 14.4% growth in this period, ranking fourth highest in the country.
Breakdown of Food Spending
Food, beverages, and tobacco accounted for 34.8% of the total current expenditure in Querétaro, which stood at 61,593 pesos per quarter in 2024. Among the nine main spending categories, transportation and communications saw a 22.4% increase, while health expenditure rose by 14.8%.
In-Home vs Out-of-Home Food Consumption
The quarterly expenditure on food consumed within the home increased by 4.7%, from 14,620 pesos in 2022 to 15,301 pesos in 2024. This represented 71.3% of the total food, beverage, and tobacco spending.
- Increased Spending on Specific Food Items:
- Coffee, tea, and chocolate (+21.5%)
- Seafood (+21.2%)
- Spices and condiments (+20.2%)
- Fruits (+14.1%)
- Dairy products (+10.2%)
- Decreased Spending on Specific Food Items:
- Oils and fats (-23.3%)
- Cereals (-1.9%)
Out-of-Home Food Consumption
Spending on food and beverages consumed outside the home surged by 55.2%, from 3,899 pesos in 2022 to 6,051 pesos in 2024. This category accounted for 28.2% of the total food expenditure.
Tobacco Spending
The quarterly expenditure on tobacco decreased by 9.1%, from 104 pesos in 2022 to 94 pesos in 2024, representing a mere 0.4% of the total food, beverage, and tobacco spending.
Key Questions and Answers
- What caused the increase in food spending? The rise was primarily driven by increased consumption at establishments.
- What are the notable increases in specific food items? Coffee, tea, and chocolate; seafood; spices and condiments; fruits; and dairy products all saw significant increases.
- What food items experienced a decrease in spending? Oils and fats, as well as cereals, saw reduced expenditure.
- How does Querétaro’s food spending compare to other entities? Querétaro ranks second in Mexico for average current expenditure, just below the Federal District.
