Mandatory Food Fortification Vehicles in Indonesia: Consumption Patterns and Demand Elasticities from Susenas 2024

Micronutrient deficiencies remain a major public health challenge in Indonesia, and mandatory food fortification has been implemented to improve population micronutrient intake. However, the potential reach of fortification vehicles depends not only on regulatory compliance but also on household consumption patterns and demand responsiveness. This study analyzed consumption patterns and estimated the price and expenditure elasticities of mandatory fortification vehicles-wheat flour and its derivatives, palm cooking oil, and salt-using data from the March 2024 National Socioeconomic Survey (Susenas), covering 343,479 households. Demand elasticities were estimated using the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS), with prices proxied by unit values adjusted for quality effects. All three commodities were widely consumed, with national participation rates of 99.3% for wheat flour and its derivatives, 96.2% for palm cooking oil, and 97.5% for salt. The national own-price elasticities were -0.848 for wheat flour and its derivatives, -0.499 for palm cooking oil, and -0.844 for salt, indicating generally price-inelastic demand. However, demand responsiveness varied across expenditure groups and urban-rural settings. Wheat flour showed greater price sensitivity among lower-expenditure households, while palm cooking oil and salt exhibited more heterogeneous patterns. Expenditure elasticities were positive for all three commodities, although their magnitude varied across population groups. These findings indicate that fortification vehicles differ in consumption distribution and demand responsiveness and that participation rates should be interpreted as potential reach rather than actual coverage of fortified products. Consideration of consumption patterns, affordability, and demand responsiveness can inform a complementary multi-vehicle approach to food fortification in Indonesia.