Employment remains well below pre-pandemic levels and the labour market has become more polarised with low-income workers, youth, and women being harder hit. The United States, for example, has 9 million fewer employed people than in February 2020.

The theory that, irrespective of economic circumstances people must eat and drink, affording the agribusiness and food industries a degree of protection during economic showdowns, has been proven correct during this economic slowdown. However, what and where people eat, and drink has provided the most interesting aspect for the sector.

The last 12 months has seen major changes in the daily lives of consumers across the globe, with purchasing and consumption behaviours significantly disrupted, leading to a much more dynamic marketplace. At-home consumption has been elevated, as consumers adapted to changes in daily routines and work practices. The foodservice channel has been significantly impacted due to restrictions on operations and consumer mobility, leading to increased demand for online and delivery.

To understand how companies have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and their expectations of the impacts on their businesses’ prospects our analysts surveyed recent trading updates and annual reports of some bellwether agri-food companies.