KUBICOVÁ, Ľ., KÁDEKOVÁ, Z., NAGYOVÁ, Ľ., STÁVKOVÁ, J.: The Income situation of the private households and its impact on the food consumption in the Slovak Republic. Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 7, pp. 217-224 Accession of the Slovak Republic to the EU in 2004 opened up the new opportunities not only in the formation of incomes but also in changes of consumer habits of the population in Slovakia. The basis for these changes were given before 1989, since when it has been possible to monitor realization of reforms. A er 1989 have been observed the changes in the evolution of the household income and expenditure structure. The analysis confi rms the signifi cant diff erences and unbalanced rightinclined distribution of income. Households in the fourth income quartile had 2.8 times higher incomes than families in the fi rst income quartile ( Statistical Offi ce of the Slovak Republic). Analyzed were the food groups that in terms of expenditure on food and food consumption took more than 6% share. The results confi rm that income diff erentiation of households is also refl ected in their diff erent behavior on the food market. Most sensitive to changes in demand reacts income households with the lowest incomes. In terms of living standard, when satisfying the living needs of population, the disposable monthly income is highly crucial. In meeting the basic needs of households play an important role expenditures on food, housing and energy. The Slovak households have high expenditures on food in comparison with other EU countries. In the structure of consumption expenditures the expenditure on food has decreased in recent years but still represents the highest share (in 2009 it was 21.95%) in comparison with expenditure on housing and energy (19.54% share in 2009). Assessment of the standard of living of the population and its development is eff ected by several indicators. The key indicators that allow assessment of the standard of living and its development are the money income, consumption and expenditure for food, housing, culture, education and healthcare. Data on the household incomes and the household expenditures for the stated needs point at the standard of living of the population as well as various social groups. Important is also the reciprocal comparison of the diff erences in expenditures for basic living needs of the household. During the transformation process expanded the variability types and groups of households. Downtrend is spotted in the average size of the households and growing pluralism of the various forms of coexistence.income and expenditure of the households, elasticity of demand, bread and bakery products, meat and meat products
MATERIAL AND METHODSThe paper aims to identify changes and development in consumer behavior of the population on the food market. Measuring the market size, identifying trends and the ability to predict the future development (Lesáková et al., 2006) are the critical factors in identifying opportunities and risks of the marke...