Impact of COVID-19 on the food supply chain

Abstract

A pandemic is not a new event encountered in the history of humanity, because mankind has faced various pandemics in history. The common point of pandemics is their serious negative effects on the global economy. Considering the food supply chain, one of the most important sectors of the economy, it has seen that COVID-19 has an impact on the whole process from the field to the consumer. In the light of recent challenges in food supply chain, there is now considerable concern about the food production, processing, distribution, and demand. COVID-19 resulted the movement restrictions of workers, changes in demand of consumers, closure of food production facilities, restricted food trade policies and financial pressures in food supply chain. Therefore, governments should facilitate the movement of workers and agri-food products. In addition, small farmers or vulnerable peoples should be supported financially. Facilities should change the working conditions and maintain the health and safety of employees by altering safety measures. Food protectionist policies should be avoided to prevent an increase in food prices. In conclusion, each country must realize the severity of the situation and sometimes should tighten or loosen the measures according to spreadability of the pandemic. The supply chain also should be flexible enough to respond to the challenges in the food supply chain. The purpose of this review article is to determine the impact of COVID-19 in the agriculture and food sector and to summarize the recommendations required to reduce and control the effect of the pandemic.

Effects of COVID-19 on the Italian agri-food supply and value chains

“…Moreover, an increase in domestic egg consumption of approximately 45% was matched by an increase in prices at the origin of 20%. The same increase was found in many European countries, which were subject to particularly restrictive measures ( Akter et al, 2020 ) and also in the United States the same trend was recorded ( Mishra et al, 2020 ; Aday & Aday, 2020 ).…”

One welfare impacts of COVID-19 – A summary of key highlights within the one welfare framework

“…This, in addition to farmers and food chain workers becoming sick or quarantined had a direct impact on the food chain, production systems and trade ( Hashem et al, 2020 ; Obayelu et al, 2020 ). Global guidance was developed focusing on impact mitigation to meet the immediate food needs of vulnerable populations, whilst aiming to support global food trade, domestic supply chains and supporting farming communities, among others ( Aday and Aday, 2020 ; Nakat and Bou-Mitri, 2021 ). This is relevant to One Welfare because of the indirect impact on the rest of the food chain, resulting in animal welfare issues at the slaughterhouse and/or farm.…”

The effects on European importers’ food safety controls in the time of COVID-19

“…The rapid transmission of COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented global health crisis, creating potential risks to food security and nutrition, particularly in certain countries. Border closures, restrictions on movement and social distancing to curb infection have disrupted supply chains ( Aday & Aday, 2020 ; Rizou et al, 2020 ; Nakat & Bou-Mitri; 2021 ). These disruptions have led to the loss of perishable foods, including agricultural produce, fish, meat and dairy.…”