Zayats: Belarus’ self-sufficiency level for major food groups exceeds 100 percent

Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister Leonid Zayats said that the food situation in the world is uncertain. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, 828 million people – almost 10 percent of the global population – were affected by hunger in 2021. The number of people unable to afford healthy food increased by 112 million to almost 3.1 billion, pushing up consumer food prices. Against this background, according to 2021 results, our country is ranked 36th among 113 states in the Global Food Security Index, ahead of all CIS states, except for Russia (which is placed 23rd).

“International experts distinguish Belarus by the high quality and balance of the population’s diet, the availability of state support programmes in the area of food security and the development of the agro-industrial complex, as well as the stability of consumer prices for products compared to world prices,” Leonid Zayats notes. “Traditionally, Belarus’ food security is ensured through its own production. The level of self-sufficiency for major food groups exceeds 100 percent, particularly, for dairy products, vegetable oil, sugar, meat, eggs, vegetables and gourds, potatoes. The high quality of agricultural products enables us to be present on the markets of more than a hundred countries of the world.”