Food Security and Sociopolitical Stability in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Swinnen, Jo; Herck, Kristine Van

doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199679362.003.0015

Cited by 11 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, the 2008 financial crisis and its impact on food prices, food access and welfare policies resulted in a global increase in food insecurity (2-4) seen even in Europe (5)(6)(7). Although, food insecurity in Europe is more likely to be classified as mild to moderate in severity according to the World Health Organization (8,9), after decades of downward trends, 26.4% of European were at risk of food insecurity in 2016 (based on data from Eurostat) (6) a prevalence sufficient to indicate an issue of national concern (10).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assisting Towards a Healthy Diet for the Most Deprived in Post-Crisis Greece: An Evaluation of the State Food Provision Program

Vlassopoulos¹,

Filippou²,

Pepa³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction In 2016 the European Union setup its first structured food provision program to combat food insecurity. We aimed to measure the program’s capacity in assisting its beneficiaries to achieve a healthy diet and measure their satisfaction. Methods A computational study was carried out to calculate daily food provision per person under the program for January 2016-December 2017. A cross sectional survey in 3942 beneficiaries took place in December 2017-June 2018 collecting anthropometric, sociodemographic and program satisfaction data. Descriptive statistics were performed and reported as relatively frequencies, mean ± standard deviation. Results Dairy, fresh meat, legumes, sugar, olive oil and tomato concentrate were the most commonly procured items. The program’s contribution to vegetable, dairy and cereal intake was the lowest (3.4%, 6.1%, 6.0% respectively) as opposed to free sugars (12.2%) and oils (24.5%). The program’s algorithm favors greatly (almost 3-fold) single person applications compared to 4+ persons applications. The monetary value was estimated at 21.23±23.4 euros/food provision, however 64.4% of beneficiaries reported a high positive impact on the household budget. 50.7% and 41.6% reported high positive impact on feelings of anxiety and security, respectively. ~70% of the beneficiaries were highly satisfied with the foods provided, with lower scores for quality and shelf-life (50.7% and 58.8% high respectively). Conclusions The program is met by high beneficiary satisfaction and is perceived as a substantial assistance. Increases in the amounts and variety of foods delivered, with a focus on fruit, vegetables and fish should be considered, to further improve the program’s dietary impact.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assisting Towards a Healthy Diet for the Most Deprived in Post-Crisis Greece: An Evaluation of the State Food Provision Program

Vlassopoulos¹,

Filippou²,

Pepa³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Since household welfare largely depends on the level of food prices, increased food prices often lead to social and political unrest. During recent food price hikes, organized public protests were observed in Uzbekistan in September 2007 (Ortiz et al 2013); in Tajikistan in February 2008 (RFE/RL 2008); and in Kyrgyzstan in April 2010 (Swinnen and Van Herck 2013). Furthermore, Veninga and Ihle (2018) found that violent political conflicts in Egypt caused wheat import disruptions in the world's largest wheat importing country in 2011.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food security and the functioning of wheat markets in Eurasia: a comparative price transmission analysis for the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We investigated wheat price relationships between the import-dependent countries in Central Asia and the South Caucasus and the Black Sea wheat exporters to assess wheat market efficiency. This is crucial for ensuring availability and access to wheat and for reducing food insecurity. Results from linear and threshold error correction models suggested a strong influence of trade costs on market integration in Central Asia, while those costs were of minor importance in the South Caucasus. In particular, wheat trade in Central Asia is characterized by higher transportation costs but unofficial payments also play a large role. In addition, wheat price volatility is substantially higher in the wheat importing countries of Central Asia compared to the South Caucasus. To foster market functioning, wheat trade should be facilitated by policies that reduce the costs of trade. These include investments in grain market infrastructure, eliminating unofficial payments, and resolving geopolitical conflicts. Additionally, large distances characterize wheat trade in this region, low scope for import diversification and repeated export restrictions by Black Sea exporters. Therefore, trade-enhancing policies should be complemented with policies that increase wheat self-sufficiency in order to improve food security.

show abstract

“…Political and economic environment for sustainable agriculture in CEE Until 1989 Eastern European countries were united by their political regimes and very similar economic structure as part of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance or "Comecon" system (Swinnen and Van Herck, 2013). Comecon was founded in 1949 to stimulate several socialist economies and to increase economic prosperity and efficiency.…”

Section: Geographic Area Consideredmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Central European countries had a jumpstart and joined the EU 3-years earlier than Balkan countries. Progressively, until 2007 when Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU, all Balkan states became fully-fledged democracies (Swinnen and Van Herck, 2013). Socio-political history, coupled with lack of access to technology, represented limitations for industrial Overall agricultural productivity dropped dramatically in the CEE and large areas of both cropland and grassland were abandoned in the 1990s and early 2000s (Sutcliffe et al, 2015).…”

Section: Geographic Area Consideredmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change Influence on Agriculture and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in Central and Eastern European Countries

Kantor

McLean²,

Kantor

2017

Not Sci Biol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus concept has great potential for understanding a region's vulnerability to climate change. This paper examines individual components that form the supporting pillars of the nexus in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. An overview of specific CEE political environments that govern economic and environmental policies are examined to select several domains representing higher risks to society, environment and economies of selected countries, together with evaluation of extant interlinkages between climate change, agriculture and the WEF nexus. While a variety of studies quantify and analyze climate change impacts on water availability, crop yields, yield variability, or alternative energy needed to mitigate global warming effects, this paper shows there is no clear evidence of a nexus-based integration to help manage or mitigate extreme future climate change-related events in the region. The study provides a model for supporting WEF pillars and advances recommendations for consideration of the nexus approach in relation to climate adaptation.

show abstract

Food Security and Sociopolitical Stability in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Cited by 11 publications

References 0 publications

Assisting Towards a Healthy Diet for the Most Deprived in Post-Crisis Greece: An Evaluation of the State Food Provision Program

Assisting Towards a Healthy Diet for the Most Deprived in Post-Crisis Greece: An Evaluation of the State Food Provision Program

Food security and the functioning of wheat markets in Eurasia: a comparative price transmission analysis for the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus

Climate Change Influence on Agriculture and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in Central and Eastern European Countries

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About