Estimation of a General Class of Demand Functions for Meat in Australia

Australian demand for meat and beef equations are estimated using a generalised functional form developed by Box and Cox. On the surface, results do not allow rejection of the usual double-log specification commonly used, but possible reasons for this are suggested. More encouraging is that estimated income elasticities for beef are seen generally to decline over the sample period, a result more in line with a priori expectations. Finally, possible extensions of our work are suggested.