Ukraine was placed in 52^nd position in the Global FoodSecurity Index, which encompasses 109 countries.  The Index has been developed by the EconomistIntelligence Unit in cooperation with DuPont and international experts.  

The Global FoodSecurity Index, which has been launched in 2012, reviews key factors related to suchindicators as food affordability, availability, as well as its quality andsafety.  The results of the Indexencompass 109 countries. Ukraine received 56.4 points in the overall rankingand found itself in 52^nd place. Russia gained40^th place with 62.7 points, Belarus - 47^th place with60.8 points, Kazakhstan - 57^th place, 53.3 points and Azerbaijan has52^nd place with 50.3points. The United States was in first place with 89.3 points, followed byAustria, Netherlands Norway and Singapore. Germany, France and United Kingdomwere in 8^th, 10^th and 16^th place respectively,and Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary are in 23^rd, 26^th and 29^th.     

Among Ukraine’s strenghts is foodsafety, composite indicator that measures the enablingenvironment for food safety and low level of food loss, while among thechallenges is low volume of public expenditure onagricultural R&D and twice lower than world averagevolume of GDP per capita. 

Affordability

Being ranked 50^th inthis category, Ukraine appears to have achieved better position in terms of proportion ofpopulation under global poverty line (0.08%), lower agricultural import tariffsand presence of food safety net programs (3 points out of 4, world average is2.6). However, the percentage of total household expenditure on food is38.9% (world average – 34.5%). At the same time Ukraine is limited in depth and range of farmer financing (2 points out of4).

Availability

Ukriane’s advantage is asufficient food supply, a composite indicatorthat measures the availability of food through the food supply inkcal/capita/day and levels of food aid. In this category the country gained 79.9 pointsout of 100, i.e. 20.9% above the mean score of the

Index. Ukraine also has a reasonable volume of total waste vs totaldomestic supply quantity infrastructure (2.4 tons vs 4.8 tons world average).

The biggest difference from GFSI mean score is registered in suchcategories as volatility of agricultural production (-23.9%), politicalstability risk (-32.6%) and highest risk of corruption (-33.9%).

In terms of public expenditure on agricultural R&D, Ukraine receivedthe poorest score - only 1 point out of a possible 9, which placed the country14.9% below the average. In comparison, the USA received 9 points with 85.1% percentabove average difference.

On the other hand, in the “agricultural infrastructure” sub-category (composite indicator that measures the ability to store andtransport crops to market), Ukraine received 50.9points, just 3.3% below the world average. 

Ukraine ranked 65^th in this category based on the ratio ofall indicators of the category.  

Quality and safety

Ukraine has  taked the 42^nd placein this category due to micronutrient availability,a composite indicator that measures theavailability of iron and vitamin A in the food supply (8.5% above the world average), protein quality(13.9% above the average), diet diversification,  the share of non-starchy foods (all but cereals, roots, andtubers) in total dietary energy consumption ( 14% above theaverage), and foodsafety, composite indicator that measures the enablingenvironment for food safety (99 points out of 100, 19.3% above the average).Nevertheless, it has been registered that Ukraine’s nutritional standards, a composite indicator that measures government commitment toincreasing nutritional standards, is 22.9% belowthe average.   

About The Global Food Security Index

The Global Food Security Index, developed by the Economist IntelligenceUnit, considers the core issues of food affordability, availability, access andquality across a set of 109 countries. The index is a  dynamic quantitativeand qualitative scoring model, constructed from over 28 indicators, thatmeasures  these drivers of food securityacross both developed and

developing countries. The Index also examines how two new factors, obesity andfood loss, introduced in May 2014, affect access to safe, nutritious andaffordable food.   

For the purpose of thisindex, food security is defined as the state in which people at all times havephysical, social, and economic access to sufficient and nutritious food thatmeets their dietary needs for a healthy and active life. The overall goal ofthe study is to assess which countries are most and least vulnerable to foodinsecurity through the categories of Affordability, Availability, andNutritional Quality and Food Safety. 

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DuPont(NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the globalmarketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments,NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challengesas providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependenceon fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additionalinformation about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, pleasevisit www.dupont.ua.