This study evaluates food expenditure patterns in South Africa using the Engel framework
which states that proportions spent on food fall with income. Non-parametric methods are
used to estimate Engel curves, and regression analysis to evaluate the effects of several
variables on shares of total expenditure on food using the Working-Leser model. Pooled OLS
is used to compare the exposure and sensitivity to changing expenditure capacity between
waves. We find that households were spending proportionally less on food in 2008 compared
to 2010 and 2012 and that food is the most important item of expenditure in most households
by looking at budget shares. The sensitivity of the share of total expenditure dedicated to food
varies with expenditure capacity. The effect of food price inflation on all households in South
Africa is conjectured to contribute markedly to this trend, though we cannot confirm that
hypothesis with NIDS data alone. The implications for food security is fertile ground for
further research on this issue.