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Around 400,000 people living in Albania were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2021, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. To secure such a diet, a person needs at least 4.4 USD per day.
This diet isn't related to the healthy eating that most people aim for today, but rather the caloric value needed by an individual each day, Monitor reports.
The number of people unable to meet their necessary caloric intake decreased to 400,000 in 2021 from around 600,000 estimated in 2020, where pandemic restrictions worsened opportunities for many individuals worldwide.
The report notes a continuous effort to reduce the cost of a healthy diet to make it affordable for everyone, but the policies of governments play a crucial role.
The structural deficit between production and consumption exposes Albania and other poor and developing countries to uncertainties related to global food markets.
While many lack access to sufficient food, others suffer from overnutrition, risking obesity. FAO highlights the rising overweight and obesity rates among young people in Albania.
Globally, policies continue to encourage the production of grains and sugar, while cities are abandoning traditional diets, such as the Mediterranean one, in favor of processed foods.
A more efficient value chain, improved trade, food safety, and quality have the potential to reduce structural weaknesses and offer sustainable healthy diets for all.
Increasing demand for food and agricultural products due to population growth, rising incomes, urbanization, along with decreasing resources due to land degradation, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss. FAO anticipates a growing problem of malnutrition and food security.