Food supply chains, trade need to stay intact during COVID-19: U.N.

The world faces a looming food crisis with the coronavirus pandemic, unless international leaders take measures to keep food supply chains intact and protect their most vulnerable residents.

This warning came from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, which said on its website that “border closures, quarantines, and market, supply chain and trade disruptions could restrict people’s access to sufficient/diverse and nutritious sources of food.” This is especially the case for countries hit hard by the virus or already affected by high levels of food insecurity, FAO said.

Globally, there’s enough food for everyone, but as leaders take steps to contain the spread of the virus, the supply chain could be severely tested in the coming weeks and months.

“As of April, May, we expect disruptions in the food supply chains,” FAO said. For example, “restrictions of movement, as well as basic aversion behaviour by workers”—social distancing—”may impede farmers from farming and food processors—who handle the vast majority of agricultural products—from processing.” (One poultry company in India recently warned that it was unable to get food to crucial facilities because of vehicle movement restrictions.)

FAO continued, “Shortage of fertilizers, veterinary medicines and other input could affect agricultural production. Closures of restaurants and less frequent grocery shopping diminish demand for fresh produce and fisheries products, affecting producers and suppliers.” As of March 31, the American Veterinary Medical Association hadn’t received reports of shortages from the pharmaceutical companies that make finished veterinary drugs or source active pharmaceutical ingredients from China.

The U.N. organization made three broad recommendations for the world’s leaders:

1. Meet the immediate food needs of their vulnerable populations.
2. Boost their social protection programs.
3. Keep international food trade intact and unimpeded.

Recommendations for farmers to keep their operations smooth

Two recent articles provide guidance for farmers to keep their employees safe and their operations running smoothly during the public health crisis.

The National Corn Growers Association offered advice to help farmers create a contingency plan to prepare for and deal with COVID-19.

Beef Magazine explains how farmers can communicate effectively (and remotely, when possible) with their employees, to keep staff safe and operations minimally exposed.