Food Security in Eastern and Central Europe During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Slovakia

Paper's objective and research backgroundThis study examines the dynamics of food security in Slovakia, with a broader focus on Eastern and Central Europe, particularly considering recent global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.The research investigates how these crises influenced household expenditure structures, with an emphasis on food expenses, within the period from 2019 to 2021.Given the significant economic disruptions caused by these events, the study aims to assess the extent of changes in household consumption patterns and their implications for food security. Data and MethodsThe analysis is based on data from the Household Budget Survey (HBS) conducted by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, complemented by comparable data from Eurostat.The study employs descriptive statistical methods to examine shifts in expenditure allocations, particularly focusing on the share of household income spent on food and other essential goods.Additionally, comparative analysis is used to contextualize the findings within the broader European framework, distinguishing trends in Eastern and Central European countries from those observed in the EU-27. ConclusionsThe findings reveal a notable shift in consumer behavior regarding expenditure allocations in Slovakia.Households increasingly prioritized essential goods such as housing and food while reducing spending on discretionary categories like restaurants, hotels, culture, and recreation.In 2021, Slovak households allocated 26.4% of their income to housing, reflecting an increase of 4.3 percentage points compared to previous years, while food expenditures rose to 30.7%.This trend suggests growing financial pressure on households and a potential risk of deteriorating food security.Similar patterns were observed across Eastern and Central Europe.