United Nations – Trade in Processed food

Access to safe and nutritious food is crucial for good health and is closely tied to the Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, particularly Zero Hunger and Good Health and Well-being. Recognizing the importance of access to adequate, safe, and nutritious food in achieving these goals emphasizes the significant interconnections among food access, health, and international development. In order to understand the complex dynamics surrounding health, food, and nutrient intake, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to conduct a study on trade in healthy food. The journey of the food supply chain, from its origin to the final consumer, involves various stages such as harvesting, farming, production, transportation, storage, processing, packaging, wholesaling, retailing, and consumption. It also extends to international trade. This technical paper aims to quantify and clarify the trends in imports and exports of both whole or unprocessed foods and more processed alternatives. The main objective of this research is to enhance the existing knowledge by creating a global dataset of bilateral food trade flows, utilizing UNCTAD's expertise in this field. This dataset will enable new analyses on the consumption of processed food, assisting the WHO and other organizations in understanding and addressing nutrition-related diseases. Furthermore, it serves as a valuable policy tool for member States by providing a comprehensive understanding of food markets and access to nutrition, which can help shape nutrition-related trade policies.