Variability of Ukrainian food security indicators in the context of global challenges

Abstract

Introduction. In recent years, the need to address global socio-economic problems has become acute. One of the most important and relevant is food security. Food security on a global scale is twofold. On the one hand, countries that suffer from food shortages and fight against hunger by all possible means, but on the other hand, others suffer from food surpluses or excessive food consumption and аре forced to fight the nation’s obesity. Assessment of the level of food security is revealed through a system of indicators that give a comprehensive description of its current state, structure, dynamics and trends. Indicators are the most important guidelines for food security and are especially relevant for the conduct of general economic policy and evaluation of its results. The level of food security of the state is analyzed with the help of evaluation indicators and criteria, which allows to use them in the formation of directions of development of the agri-food sector of Ukraine.

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to assess the level of food security of Ukraine on the basis of a study of its condition and dynamics, indicators of availability and structure of consumption of basic food products.

Methods. To achieve this goal, a set of general scientific methods was used: theoretical generalization - to determine the essence and content of the concept of «food security of the country»; statistical analysis - to assess the indicators of food security of Ukraine in accordance with their threshold values; comparison and grouping - to assess food safety indicators in the dynamics; retrospective analysis - for the study and comparative evaluation of food security indicators; abstract-logical - for theoretical generalization and formulation of conclusions.

Results. The analysis of food security revealed that the current crisis is an opportunity to use new tools for the development of the agricultural sector. It is substantiated that food security plays a key role in the socio-economic development of the state. The content of food security of the country is determined on the basis of normative legal acts. It is emphasized that the global challenge to food security is the threat and spread of coronavirus, as the introduction of quarantine restrictions makes it difficult for people to access food. It has been proven that ensuring global food security in the face of the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic requires society to improve cooperation. Indicators characterizing the state of food security of Ukraine by the main groups of food products are clarified and evaluated. During 1990-2019, changes in the quality of the human diet with the main types of products were analyzed; daily energy value of human diet; economic availability of products; adequacy of grain stocks in state reserves; differentiation of the cost of food by social groups; capacity of the domestic market for certain types of products; food independence for a particular product. Based on the analysis, it was found that the human diet decreased consumption of milk and dairy products, fish and berries and increased consumption of potatoes and sugar. The maintenance of a high level of the share of food expenditures in the total consumer expenditures of the population of Ukraine is revealed, which limits the opportunities to meet socio-cultural needs. It is proved that in order to increase the level of food security of the country in the conditions of modern global challenges, it is expedient to balance the food security system in terms of evaluation criteria and indicators.

Discussion. A promising area of research is the need to improve approaches to methodological assessment of food security in the segments of ensuring its strategic guidelines and strengthening in the face of growing global challenges.