Analysis of Production and Nutrient Availability in Municipalities of Veracruz State

Abstract

The Food and Nutrition Security Observatory of the Universidad Veracruzana (OBSAN-UV) monitors indicators to assess the status of Food and Nutrition Security in the state of Veracruz and supports decision-making processes. The objective of this analysis was to identify clusters of municipalities in the state of Veracruz using four variables from the availability pillar of Food Security, related to the production of foods included in the basic food basket, based on data published by OBSAN-UV. The availability variables used were energy (kilocalories/person/day), total protein (grams/person/day), plant-based protein (grams/person/day), and animal-based protein (grams/person/day). A cluster analysis was performed using a hierarchical method, and the resulting groups were characterized.

Data from 211 municipalities in the state of Veracruz were analyzed, excluding Poza Rica due to a lack of food production data. Three clusters were identified and described according to their food production levels and energy and nutrient availability. The first cluster, comprising 120 municipalities, exhibited low availability and included municipalities such as Xalapa, Boca del Río, Coatzacoalcos, Córdoba, Orizaba, and Veracruz. The second cluster consisted of sixty-nine municipalities that collectively showed medium energy and nutrient availability. This cluster included municipalities such as Actopan, Cosamaloapan, Isla, Minatitlán, Perote, San Rafael, and Yanga. Finally, the third cluster, made up of twenty-two municipalities, had the highest levels of energy and nutrient availability and was represented by municipalities such as Agua Dulce, Cuitláhuac, Hueyapan de Ocampo, Jalacingo, Las Choapas, and Tres Valles.