Learning from past disruption to food supply lines is a major theme in a new report into food security by agri-food consultants, Farrelly Mitchell.
The Supply Chains & Food Security Report was launched on Tuesday, with a webinar featuring analysis from the company’s management in Dublin, Riyadh and Accra.
The report’s authors look at the contemporary globalised food supply chain and the advantages and disadvantages of the current approach. It goes on to look at the impacts of recent disruptions such as the Great Japanese Earthquake, the Beirut Explosion as well as the ongoing threat posed by Covid-19.
The report’s analysis is used to understand the potential for a more resilient supply chain, as the growing threat of global warming looms large on the horizon.
The webinar, which you can download here, features an in-depth discussion around the report, with regional managers drilling down into food supply concerns in Saudi Arabia, Gulf Coast Countries, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the US.
Switzerland is discussed for its example in terms of contingency and another country leading by example, despite a deficit in natural resources in Saudi Arabia.
The launch webinar saw the comprehensive description of the issues faced by countries in Africa in terms of food security, and the efforts that can be made in self-sufficiency and access to capital in helping the continent reach its undoubted potential.
Meanwhile, the dangers of consolidation in food and beverage industries, as most notable in the US, was also examined, in terms of that country’s meat industry, a problem exposed by the global pandemic, with plant shutdowns causing severe shortfalls in produce and major implications for producers.
The sheer spectrum of stresses applied to human supply lines over the decades provides much evidence that can aid response, with conflict, economic recession, natural disaster, global warming and now pandemic offering opportunities to learn and evolve a more resilient food supply system.
Farrelly Mitchell: Expert food security consultants
As seen with the Beirut explosion and the Great Japanese Earthquake, any number of unforeseen disasters can cause widespread disruption to food production and food security. To mitigate the risks posed by such disasters, the agrifood industry must work toward building more resilient, sustainable, and reliable food systems.
At Farrelly Mitchell, our food systems specialists deliver strategic solutions aimed at enhancing food security, increasing food production, and reducing food loss & waste. Through our risk analysis & management services, we can identify potential disruptions and implement strategies to proactively address them and future-proof your business operations. To learn more, contact Farrelly Mitchell today.
