Global Agriculture at the time of Covid-19
Since the World Health Organization has declared the
Covid-19 a ‘pandemic’ on 11 March 2020, many affected countries have taken up
protectionist measures to control the further spread of the disease. Almost
one-third of the global population is under some of restrictions or ‘lockdown’
to ensure social distancing. As announced by the United Nation’s Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO), such protectionist measures by the national
governments to handle the coronavirus crisis could provoke food shortages around
the world.
According to Global
Market Estimates, despite good harvests, with shortage of
field laborers and a move towards protectionism – tariffs and export bans,
problems are anticipated to appear. Kazakhstan, for example, has banned exports
of wheat flour, of which it is one of the world’s largest suppliers. It has
also imposed restrictions on buckwheat and vegetables including onions, carrots
and potatoes. Similarly, Vietnam which is the world’s third biggest rice
exporter has temporarily suspended rice export contracts. The world’s biggest
wheat exporter, Russia, may also threaten to restrict exports and the position
of the United States is precarious. FAO anticipated that the trade barriers
would be creating further volatility and lead to a food crisis.
Although the supply of food is functioning well in most
countries presently, issues could start and intensify over the following two
months as key fruit and vegetables come into season. Such produces have short
ripening times and are highly perishable. They also need skilled pickers or
workers to work quickly at the right time. Due to the imposition of lockdowns
in major countries across the world, engaging seasonal workers would become
impossible unless immediate measures are taken to ensure vital workers can
still move around, all the while preventing the virus from spreading. Then
there is the issue with logistics and increased food prices. With a sinking
currency and high level of imports, big economies are also likely to see food
price rises unless the governments takes action or retailers absorb some of the
costs. FAO anticipated that this would most likely be the case with the UK.
During this crisis, individuals can also play an important role. One has
to avoid panic buying and hoarding of food, and reducing food waste. Buying too
much fresh farm produce which is perishable and can go off before it can be
eaten will just augment food supply problems. In some African countries, like
Ghana, the situation has been made worse by soaring food prices. Countries with
pre-existing hunger problems would be worst affected. FAO warned that if the
number of COVID-19 cases increase rapidly in the 53 countries that are home to
more than 113 million people who already face severe food insecurity, a major
crisis would be looming. The pandemic could prove to be particularly
catastrophic in those areas that are already hit by other food-related crises,
like the countries in sub-Saharan Africa that are anyway dealing with vast
swarms of desert locusts which devour crops and threaten food security.
Moreover, smallholder farmers across the globe are particularly
vulnerable to the fallout from the pandemic as they might be restricted to
access their land during quarantine or have access to markets. In the United
States, farmers would be facing uncertainties regarding bringing in seasonal
workers from Mexico to help get crops from the field and pick ripened fruits
from the orchards.
With restaurants closed and educational
institutions shut down, demand for food produce is also witnessing a shortage. With
the border closures and disruptions to global trade are already creating
logistical bottlenecks and that quarantines and shelter-in-place ordinances are
keeping farmers and food processors from processing agricultural products,
particularly fruits and vegetables. Shortages of farming inputs like
fertilizers and veterinary medicines can further impact food production. Harvesting
for the upcoming season could be delayed by two to three weeks. These factors could
cause disruptions in the food supply chains in the coming months.
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