Countries by product quality. Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan received a high world rating for food quality
Netherlands - best country in the world in terms of food availability and nutritional value, according to a recent study.
To the surprise of the researchers, the top ten did not include the UK (13th place) and the USA (21st place).
The new report presented by Oxfam was prepared on the basis of a study of food consumption in 125 countries. In it, scientists considered answers to 4 questions:
1. Do people have enough food? (The level of malnutrition and the number of children with low weight were measured)
2. Can people afford to eat? (The level of food prices was measured in comparison with other goods)
3. What is the quality of the food? (Dietary diversification and access to clean water were measured)
4. What are the consequences for people of food consumption? (Measured levels of diabetes and obesity in the population)
The results showed that the Netherlands leads in these indicators, followed by France and Switzerland.
The first place of the Netherlands is due to relatively low prices, a large variety of healthy and dietary products than their neighbors in Europe.
The top also includes: Austria (4), Belgium (5), Denmark (6), Sweden (7), Australia (8), Ireland (9), Italy (10).
Most high level Obesity among the top ten countries has Australia - 27% of Australians are obese. But the Netherlands is also at risk - 20% of the population have a body mass index of more than 30 (the norm is 18-25).
Chad occupied last place, because products there have little nutritional value, are expensive and monotonous, and are prepared without observing sanitary and hygienic standards. 30% of children in Chad are underweight.
Neighboring Chad at the bottom of the table are Ethiopia and Angola, the remaining antitop 10 consists of countries located south of the Sahara and Arab Yemen.
In these countries, the diet is based on the poor nutrients cereal crops and root crops.
The study also showed:
The most affordable food in the US, and the least affordable in Angola.
Best food quality in Iceland, worst in Madagascar.
The biggest problem with obesity is in Kuwait, and with diabetes in Saudi Arabia.
The least fat population is in Bangladesh, Nepal and Ethiopia.
Malnutrition is most common in Burundi (67% of the population is undernourished, 35% of children are underweight), followed by Yemen, India and Madagascar.
Most high rate underweight children in India (44%)
Most ill in Saudi Arabia (30% obese, 18% diabetic)
Kuwait has the highest obesity rate at 42%, followed by the US and Egypt (33% each)
Surprisingly, some poor countries have fat populations. The top ten "fattest" are Fiji, Mexico and Venezuela.
The researchers noted that the absolute superiority in terms of obesity among the population belongs to the island nation of Nauru - 71%, but it was not included in the table.
Russia in the table took 45th place, and Ukraine 33rd.
Oxfam, the International Committee for the Relief of the Hungry, publishes annually rating of countries in terms of food quality and availability. According to the results of 2013, Russia took the 44th line out of 125 possible in this rating.
Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mexico, Chile and the Maldives are located next to us. Worst of all things with the availability of food are in Burundi. Well, about where quality food is available to everyone, you will learn from our today's top ten, which includes the leaders of the rating.
10. Portugal
The Portuguese do not abuse the excellent local port, preferring vegetables, lean meats and cereals. Quality products in this country are available to almost 100% of the population.
9. Italy
Italian cuisine is rich in vegetables, seafood, fruits, which are quite affordable. The famous Italian pasta was also classified as a healthy and high-quality product, as in Italy pasta is made only from whole flour without any additives.
8. Ireland
Residents of the "Emerald Isle" have on their table high-quality dairy products, bakery products and locally produced vegetables. Food is available to the vast majority of Irish citizens.
7. Belgium
The Belgians are one of the wealthiest nations in Europe. Therefore, it is not surprising that the citizens of the country can afford quality food. By the way, food prices in Belgium are by no means low.
6. Austria
Austrian food products are of excellent quality. Well, the ratio of the salaries of the country's citizens to food prices allows the Austrians to eat right, using fresh and healthy foods daily.
5. Sweden
Experts note the favorable ecology of this Scandinavian country, which makes it possible to obtain high-quality dairy products, grains, vegetables and fruits. Food prices are kept in check by a stable economy, and the quality of food guarantees the commitment of the Swedes healthy lifestyle life.
4. Denmark
The food situation in Denmark is very similar to the Swedish picture. It is worth noting only a few differences in the diet. If in Sweden the lion's share of national dishes are fish, then the Danes are more committed to meat, dairy products and grains.
3. Switzerland
The high quality of Swiss products does not require separate proof. Despite the fact that the cost of food in Switzerland is often higher than the European average, the salaries of citizens allow you to purchase almost any food without restrictions.
2. France
The French traditionally follow healthy eating. Almost every family can afford high-quality local products: fish, vegetables, cereals, cheeses. Much has been said about the benefits of famous French wines.
1. Netherlands
This country took the first position in the ranking on the sum of all four criteria: the availability and quality of food, the impact of nutrition on the health of the nation, and the level of food prices. Experts noted that the Dutch receive a perfectly balanced diet at a consistently low price.
Russia and Kazakhstan took 44th place (Belarus 57th) in the world in terms of food quality, losing 10 positions to Ukraine. About 125 countries of the world took part in the study conducted by the Oxfam concern, of which Russia took the 44th place, Ukraine 33rd, while the countries producing organic products from Europe (the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria).
“We have not yet learned how to navigate in food abundance,” says dietitian Elena Solomatina.
According to her, most of our population still has not got rid of the old consumer habits. “Some products used to be inaccessible and were stored for the holidays. As a rule, it was not the most healthy food- all kinds of sprats, mayonnaise, sausages, soda ... And it was believed that all the highest quality is produced abroad. Once it was so. Much has changed since then, but people still make a choice in favor of these products,” the expert said. And she added that marketing plays a significant role here - people “peck” on bright packaging and recognizable brands.
Outdated consumer habits and an unhealthy love of imports are the main problems of our nutrition
And in the end, we came to the conclusion that the average domestic consumer rarely thinks about his own, choosing more harmful products, says Solomatina. After all Negative consequences such nutrition does not appear immediately. “We have not yet learned how to pay attention to the composition of products on labels,” she complains.
But still, the situation is changing along with the growth of the quality of life. Yes, and we slowly, but began to get rid of food stereotypes. More and more young people who do not know what a shortage is going to the shops. And they treat the choice of purchases differently. So in future similar rankings, the place of the CIS countries is likely to be higher.
Who is hungry today?
The latest figures show that 840 million people go hungry every day despite having enough food to feed the hungry.
Reasons for hunger include lack of investment:
- into infrastructure in developing countries
- to small farms,
- security, prohibition of trade agreements,
Studies show that could increase the number of people at risk of hunger by 20 to 50 percent by 2050.
“This figure shows quite clearly that even though there is enough food in the world, we are still not able to feed everyone in all countries of the world,” said Deborah Hardoon, senior researcher at Oxfam.
“If we had a more even distribution of wealth and resources, and food in particular, this would not be a problem,” she added.
The Oxfam rankings are based on data collected between October and December 2013, using the latest information from World Organization Health, Food and Agriculture Fund, International Labor Organization and other international organizations.
The report is a slicer based on relative differences in different countries depending on quantitative factors. But Hardoon said that's not the full picture.
The situation with nutrition is best in Europe - in most countries of the continent, products are available to the entire population, their prices are low and stable, the quality is satisfactory and does not cause such common diseases as obesity and diabetes.
In the poorest countries in Africa and Southeast Asia, the situation is exactly the opposite - food is scarce, prices are high and unstable. And Russia and other CIS states took a place approximately in the middle between these two poles. These are the main conclusions of the ranking of 125 countries of the world "Good Enough to Eat", published international union Oxfam is the Oxford Famine Relief Committee, which was formed in Britain in 1942 (see diagram on page 1).
When compiling the consolidated rating, experts analyzed four main indicators: food availability; the level and stability of food prices; product quality; their impact on public health. So, according to the first criterion, the degree of malnutrition and the number of underweight children were measured. According to this indicator, the best situation is in the Netherlands. And food availability is worst in Burundi, where 67% of the population is malnourished and 35% of children are underweight. True, in India the number of underweight children is even higher - 44%, and this is the lowest figure in the world.
The second criterion reflects the level of food prices and their volatility. The United States leads the way here, where food is cheap and prices are stable. However, the quality of food is so poor that overall, the United States only ranks 21st in the rankings. Of the developed countries, the most expensive products are in the UK, and Angola turned out to be the state with the most expensive food and unstable prices for it.
In terms of food quality, Iceland is named the best, where the food is varied and the drinking water is of excellent quality. But because there are many people here who are obese and diabetic, overall the country only ranked 13th. The worst country in terms of food quality is the Republic of Madagascar. Nutrition-related health outcomes are worst in Kuwait, where 42% of residents are obese, and in Saudi Arabia, where 18% of the population has diabetes. The best health in terms of these indicators is among the inhabitants of Bangladesh, Nepal and Ethiopia - there is almost no obesity, and diabetes rates are low.
Based on the sum of all four criteria, the nutritional situation in the Netherlands is the most favorable - this country took the first place in the ranking. According to Oxfam senior researcher Deborah Hardun, the Netherlands has created a market to allow people to get enough food. Prices remain quite low and at the same time stable. And what people eat in this country is quite balanced. The Dutch are followed by France, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Italy and Portugal. In the "tail" of the ranking - African countries: Chad, Ethiopia, Angola, and Yemen.
Russia shares 44th place with Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mexico, Chile and the Maldives. Our closest neighbors - Ukraine and Estonia - are in 35th and 25th place, respectively. Kyrgyzstan is lagging behind - it is in 65th place.
The countries of the former Soviet Union were not among the leaders in the rating in terms of food availability, although their indicators are more favorable than, for example, most countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. In terms of food quality, Russia is significantly ahead of India and South Africa, and in terms of food sufficiency in the domestic market, the Russian indicator is much higher than that of many other countries of the former USSR, India and South Africa. With regard to price stability, Belarus is ahead of everyone in terms of their growth among the countries of the former USSR, and Estonia remains the leader in terms of stability. In Russia, prices are rising, but not as fast as those of the neighbors in the Customs Union. The assessment of food quality in the domestic market of the Russian Federation is also average compared to other countries of the former USSR. In general, both this rating and other assessments of the food situation are the same: the level of 2011 is maintained or the indicators are only slightly higher than it.
Thus, according to pan-European statistics and RIA-Analystica research based on it, in 2011 Russia was one of the few countries in Europe where domestic food prices grew in a slow mode. The weighted average increase in food prices did not exceed 3%, while in other countries of the former USSR it was not less than 5.5%, and, for example, in Turkey and Cyprus - over 12%. On the other hand, Belarus turned out to be the leader in terms of growth in food prices both in Europe and in the former USSR - they grew by more than 23%. According to an Oxfam study, the rise in food prices in the republic continues, although it has slowed down compared to 2012.
At the recent forum "Agroholdings of Russia-2013", participants said that in comparisons of this kind, the geographical factor should play a decisive role. The size of the territory of the Russian Federation is not comparable with this indicator of many developed countries, and the geography of the population is also significantly different. Hence the unevenness in production, consumption, food quality and prices.
"For natural and geographical reasons, it is advisable to compare the indicators of the agro-industrial complex of Russia with the indicators of countries similar in size and geography - Canada, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand," Ekaterina Kondratyuk, an expert from the Agromax agency, explained to RBG: - To saturate the market, for example, Holland or Denmark, whose territory is smaller than the Moscow region, and the population density is higher, is much easier and faster than the markets of Russia or Canada.
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