Micronutrient deficiencies are decisive drivers of malnutrition and persistence of illnesses globally. International food trade is increasingly shaping land and food systems, through virtual trade in land and water, but also through affecting food supply by redistribution of micronutrients. However, trade flows of micronutrients between countries have not been systematically analyzed. In this study, we compiled food composition data for iron, zinc and vitamin A for European Union (EU) countries and 283 agricultural products and matched them with detailed international trade data for 190 countries. Our analysis shows that the EU is a global player in micronutrient trade. Between 2008 and 2012, the EU was net importing iron and zinc and 78% of iron contained in EU imports was sourced from regions facing micronutrient deficiencies. For vitamin A, the EU was a net exporter, of which 89% were exported to regions with malnutrition. Livestock feed imports were mainly responsible for EU net imports of iron and zinc. The results of our study indicate that EU trade has a strong influence on nutrient availability in many of its sourcing regions. This study is a first valuable step to explore trade induced movements of micronutrients, which are essential prerequisites for human well-being.

微量营养素缺乏是全球营养不良和疾病持续存在的决定性因素。国际粮食贸易通过土地和水的虚拟贸易，以及通过微量营养素的重新分配影响粮食供应，越来越多地塑造土地和粮食系统。然而，尚未对国家间微量营养素的贸易流动进行系统分析。在这项研究中，我们编制了欧盟 (EU) 国家和 283 种农产品的铁、锌和维生素 A 的食品成分数据，并将其与 190 个国家的详细国际贸易数据进行了匹配。我们的分析表明，欧盟是微量营养素贸易的全球参与者。2008 年至 2012 年间，欧盟净进口铁和锌，欧盟进口中 78% 的铁来自微量营养素缺乏地区。对于维生素A，欧盟是净出口国，其中 89% 出口到营养不良地区。畜牧饲料进口主要负责欧盟铁和锌的净进口。我们的研究结果表明，欧盟贸易对其许多采购地区的养分供应有很大影响。这项研究是探索微量营养素贸易引起的运动的第一个有价值的步骤，这是人类福祉的必要先决条件。