Food security in Ukraine: opportunities and reality

Abstract

The article substantiates the relevance of the study of the current state of ensuring food security under martial law and its problems and prospects. It is determined that an adequate food security system in the country should provide the population with the necessary food based on the national agro-industrial complex. The state's food security is an essential component of the overall economic security, which is also part of the country's public security. The indicators by which it is possible to assess the state's food security degree are allocated. The authors found that modern research on food security is limited to the problems of its provision in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, the current situation requires further scientific development. The conditions and measures to ensure the food security of our state are determined. During the study, it was noted that modern national and global food security systems are very vulnerable to the impact of crises: armed conflicts, deliberate blocking of the supply of agricultural products to foreign markets by the aggressor country, rising world prices, and crop failures. In addition, it was noted that food can also become the basis for blackmail of the world community by the aggressor. The paper analyzes the losses caused to the agricultural sector as a result of the full-scale Russian invasion and their consequences for Ukraine and the countries of the world. It was found that the Government of Ukraine, to ensure national food security, has prepared an action plan to ensure food security under martial law and created a National Food Security Platform. The study gives grounds to assert that despite the military aggression of the Russian Federation and significant losses of material, economic, and labor resources, Ukraine can ensure its food security and remains an essential exporter of the food security of many countries. The need for joint concerted efforts of the world community to counter the aggressor to ensure national and global food security is also determined. Keywords: food security, economy, production system, agricultural products, exports, imports, risks, martial law.