Some Aspects of Food Security/Insecurity of Ukrainian Society: The Socio-Economic Dimension

Based on the analysis of the problems of food security/insecurity, the article proposes some statistical and sociological indicators which, in our opinion, can be a model for studying such phenomena in countries with transition economies. These criteria can be: 1) affordability of food – the share of expenditures on food and non-alcoholic beverages in the total consumer structure of the household; 2) the part of the population that is most food-deprived; this is eloquently evidenced by the lack of financial opportunities for some social groups to purchase the most necessary food products; 3) the difference between the affordable and desired daily ration of an average person. Such criteria are simple, reliable in measurement and easily comparable, providing illustrative material for studies like these, in particular comparative ones. The presented model is most applicable in countries with transition economies due to the relevance of certain socio-economic processes there. Against this background, some of the obstacles associated with food security/insecurity in Ukraine are revealed. Among them, firstly, the relatively low economic availability of food compared to the EU countries; secondly, a certain part of the respondents who have financial problems with the purchase of the most necessary food products; thirdly, some difference between the daily diet and the most desirable foods for consumption, such as fruits, fish, seafood. Despite certain difficulties that are present and have their own specifics in almost every country, Ukraine has recorded a positive trend towards a decrease in the share of household spending on food and non-alcoholic beverages from 64.2 % in 1999 to 46.4 % in the year 2021.