Sustainable Development: Strengthening of Food Security in EU Countries

Abstract

The issue of food security is relevant for all countries, but it does not have a universal solution. In particular, this is confirmed by the countries of the European Union, which, despite a common food policy, demonstrate different levels of food security. Using their example, this study aims to develop recommendations for improving food security in the context of sustainable development. The study is based on quantitative approaches and analyses the main food security indicators of the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway, based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. This study proves the need for more detailed development of individual development strategies in the field of food security in the context of sustainable development. The main differences between the food systems of the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway in terms of average food energy needs, GDP per capita, the number of obese adults and food security per capita were identified.There have also been changes in the food security systems of the Netherlands and Norway, which have reduced the volatility of food supply per capita in 2010-2020. EU countries need to stabilise volatility to increase food security. EU Member States’ attempts to implement new food security policies must consider the local specificities of food systems. Despite the common problems of waste, nutrition of different social groups, obesity, equal access to food, sustainable production, implementation of research and development of the food security programme, the degree of these challenges varies. The practical value of the study lies in the empirical assessment of the state of food security on the example of the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway in 2000-2020, which proves the need for differentiation in the common food security policy.