Food supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic

Food supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic

15 April 2020 | Jill E. Hobbs
This paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food supply chains, focusing on both demand-side and supply-side shocks. Demand-side shocks include consumer panic buying and a shift from food service to home meals, while supply-side disruptions involve labor shortages, transportation issues, and border restrictions. The paper discusses how these shocks have affected the Canadian food retailing sector, particularly large supermarket chains, and the measures taken to mitigate short-term issues. It also explores the potential for longer-term changes, such as the growth of online grocery delivery and increased consumer preference for local food supply chains. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need to enhance supply chain resilience through strategic inventory management, flexible procurement, and robust buyer-seller relationships. Policy implications include ensuring essential status for food supply chains, mitigating panic buying, and supporting vulnerable populations.This paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food supply chains, focusing on both demand-side and supply-side shocks. Demand-side shocks include consumer panic buying and a shift from food service to home meals, while supply-side disruptions involve labor shortages, transportation issues, and border restrictions. The paper discusses how these shocks have affected the Canadian food retailing sector, particularly large supermarket chains, and the measures taken to mitigate short-term issues. It also explores the potential for longer-term changes, such as the growth of online grocery delivery and increased consumer preference for local food supply chains. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need to enhance supply chain resilience through strategic inventory management, flexible procurement, and robust buyer-seller relationships. Policy implications include ensuring essential status for food supply chains, mitigating panic buying, and supporting vulnerable populations.
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[slides and audio] Food supply chains during the COVID%E2%80%9019 pandemic