The Impact of the SARS-Cov-2 Pandemic on the Food Chain on the Island of Ireland

• Project start date: 29 July 2021
• Project status: Completed
• Project type: Food safety
• Discipline: Food chain
• Principal researcher/s: Dr Vincent Hargaden, University College Dublin.

Research objective

This horizon-scanning study focuses on assessing the current and potential impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on food chain vulnerabilities across the island of Ireland. The aim is to gather expert opinions and insights into the short-term, medium-term, and long-term effects of the pandemic on the food supply chains, highlighting uncertainties surrounding these impacts.

Outputs

Research report

• Title: The impact of the SARS-Cov-2 Pandemic on the food chain on the island of Ireland
• Publication date: 29 November 2021
• Summary: This comprehensive horizon-scanning study examined the profound disruptions caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the food supply chains of the island of Ireland. The research involved a review of academic and industry literature and interviews with key stakeholders across the food sector, encompassing both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• Findings:

   

  Impact on food supply chains:

  • Demand fluctuations: Sharp decline in food service sector demand contrasted with increased retail grocery sector demand.
  • Bullwhip effect: Disruptions in demand caused ripple effects throughout supply chains, challenging capacity adjustments.
  • Financial resilience: Larger multinational firms demonstrated greater financial resilience due to reserve capacities.
  • Role of trade associations: Played crucial roles in information sharing, lobbying for sector-specific supports, and developing operational protocols.
  • Innovation and support: High levels of innovation observed among smaller enterprises, supported by government financial aids aimed at mitigating losses.

   

  Uncertainties for the future:

  • Demand scenarios: Uncertainty persists regarding future demand patterns across different market segments.
  • Consumer behaviour: Questions remain on the sustainability of pandemic-induced consumer behaviour changes.
  • Dietary trends: Potential acceleration towards plant-based diets amidst ongoing shifts in consumer preferences.
  • Food price inflation: Concerns about rising food commodity prices driving inflation and its long-term impacts.

   

• Recommendations:

  For policy makers

  • Maintain flexible support mechanisms to sustain food sector resilience.
  • Monitor and adapt to evolving consumer behaviour and dietary preferences.

  For industry stakeholders

  • Enhance supply chain flexibility and responsiveness to mitigate future disruptions.
  • Foster innovation and diversification strategies to build resilience against market uncertainties.

  For trade associations:

  • Continue advocating for sector-specific supports and policies that bolster industry recovery and growth.
  • Facilitate ongoing collaboration and information sharing among members to navigate future uncertainties effectively.

  This study underscores the importance of proactive measures and adaptive strategies to strengthen the resilience of the food supply chains in the face of ongoing and future global disruptions.

Similar research

• Vulnerability Management Initiatives (2017)
• Mapping the dairy supply chain on the island of Ireland (2017)
• Development of a Risk Register for both the Pig and poultry Meat Sectors on the island of Ireland: Food Hazard Select (2013)
• Nanotechnology in the agri-food industry on the island of Ireland: applications, opportunities and c (2013)
• Protecting consumer choice: ensuring the provenance of artisan foods produced on the island of Ireland (2013)