Sustainable Food Security in Romania and Neighboring Countries—Trends, Challenges, and Solutions
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Food security is a fundamental global challenge with significant regional implications, particularly in Eastern Europe. Romania and its neighboring countries—Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Ukraine, and Moldova—face interconnected challenges related to food availability, access, stability, and utilization. This study assesses Romania’s food security in relation to its neighbors using FAO-defined indicators for each of these four pillars. The analysis is based on the latest FAO data. It applies two complementary analytical methods: comparative analysis, which evaluates Romania’s food security indicators in relation to average values in neighboring countries, and statistical significance testing, using One-sample t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to determine whether the observed differences are statistically significant. The results indicate that Romania benefits from high food availability and a developed irrigation infrastructure but faces challenges related to severe food insecurity, economic disparities, and public health issues such as obesity. Despite a higher GDP per capita than its neighbors, food insecurity rates remain concerning, pointing to underlying socioeconomic inequalities. The findings highlight the need for targeted policies to reduce disparities, improve access to food for vulnerable populations, and promote sustainable food systems. The study highlights the urgent need for a coordinated regional approach to food security that integrates sustainable agricultural practices, economic resilience measures, and public health interventions to ensure long-term stability and equitable food access.
Source: Foods
Authors: Teodor Ioan Trasca, Ioana Mihaela Balan, Gina Fintineru, Jeni Veronica Tiu, Nicoleta Mateoc-Sirb, Ciprian Rujescu
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
OpenAlex ID: W4409313610