Statistical analysis of food consumption in Ukraine
Authors: Poruchinska Iryna , Poruchinsky Volodymyr , Slashchuk Andrii , Slashchuk Alla 
Published: November 2022

The article substantiates the modern interpretation of food security and existing approaches to its definition. Each of the existing approaches is briefly described. It has been established that food security includes both consumer and production aspects. It was established that the assessment of the level of food security is carried out on the basis of indicators recommended by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization, as well as in accordance with the Methodology approved by the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

It has been clarified that an important condition of food security is compliance with rational food standards, the main determinants of which are the volume of food consumption and the indicator of the sufficiency of food consumption. Such an indicator of food security as food consumption per capita deserves special attention. This indicator simultaneously characterizes the presence of food on the domestic market and its availability. A stable high level of food consumption, other things being equal, gives grounds for drawing conclusions about the stability of food supply, and analyzing the structure of food consumption, it is possible to characterize the adequacy of nutrition.

Dynamic changes in the consumption of basic food products per capita in 2000-2020 in Ukraine were analyzed. It was found that during this period, the population of Ukraine reduced the consumption of some types of basic types of food, namely sugar, bread and bread products, and potatoes. On the contrary, the consumption of fruits, berries and grapes, eggs, meat and meat products, vegetables and melon crops, fish and fish products, oil, milk and dairy products increased. On the basis of the analysis, it was established that according to a number of indicators, the level of food security of Ukraine is sufficient, but according to certain indicators in the section of certain food groups, it is threatening.

Differences in the level of consumption among the regions of Ukraine were assessed based on the analysis of the average per capita consumption of bread and bakery products; oils; sugar; potato; vegetables and melon crops; fruits, berries and grapes; fish and fish products; meat and meat products; milk and dairy products; eggs. The consumption of food products by the population of Ukraine was determined in accordance with the norms of the physiological minimum and rational consumption norms. It was established that for most basic food products there are significant discrepancies between rational norms and actual consumption, which also differ depending on the region.

It has been clarified that the worst situation is observed in such food groups as milk, meat, fish, fruits, berries and grapes. In 2020, none of the administrative regions of Ukraine provided rational norms for the consumption of the corresponding product. In particular, Ukrainians consume dairy products less than the norm by almost 47%, fish products by 38%, fruits, berries and grapes by 37.2%, meat products by almost 33%.

For each region, the indicator of food consumption sufficiency was calculated as the ratio of the actual consumption of food products and rational consumption norms per 1 person. If the indicator of consumption of a certain type of product of a country (region) is greater than 1, then it can be stated that rational consumption standards of the corresponding product are provided on its territory. Regions with the best and worst indicators have been determined for all outlined types of products. In particular, the value for vegetables and melon crops is higher than 1 in 20 oblasts of Ukraine, potatoes – in 16 oblasts, bread and bread products – in 10 oblasts, oil – in 7 oblasts, eggs – in 5 oblasts, sugar – in one oblast.

The regions of Ukraine were ranked according to the value of this indicator. Administrative regions with the best and worst indicators have been determined. The given indicators of the sufficiency of the consumption of certain types of food products are evidence of the imbalance in the diet of the population, which is trying to ensure its own energy needs at the expense of more economically available products (potatoes, vegetables, bread products).

It has been determined that the strategic task of increasing the level of food security in accordance with the specified evaluation criterion should be the achievement of high and stable growth rates in the consumption of products of animal origin, fish and fruit while simultaneously reducing the consumption of potatoes.

Keywords: food safety, rational food standards, indicator of sufficient consumption of food products.