matvarebalansen

Matvarebalansen, or the food balance, is a statistical framework used to describe the availability and use of edible agricultural and related products within a country over a defined period, typically a year. It provides a concise picture of how much food is produced, imported, and available for consumption, and how it is allocated among different uses. The concept is aligned with international standards such as FAO’s Food Balance Sheets and serves as a tool for assessing food security and self-sufficiency at the national level.

Construction and content: The balance starts with domestic production and imports. Stock changes and exports are then subtracted to obtain total domestic supply. This supply is allocated to various uses, including food for human consumption, feed for animals, seed for planting, and industrial or non-food uses. Losses in processing, distribution, and storage are typically accounted for as separate items. The remaining quantity corresponds to the amount available for final use or consumption, with any residuals indicating measurement differences or unclassified uses.

Uses and significance: Matvarebalansen is used by government agencies, researchers, and industry to monitor and plan the country’s food supply, assess self-sufficiency, and evaluate policy impacts on availability and prices. It informs import and production decisions, helps identify potential gaps in food security, and provides a standardized basis for comparing food supply across years and with other countries.

Scope and limitations: While comprehensive, the matvarebalansen reflects available data and classifications, which can vary by country and over time. It emphasizes national-level availability rather than household consumption specifics, and interpretations should consider methodological differences and data quality.