Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has brought the world more than 4 million deaths so far, has
had a massive impact on global food security and nutrition. Before the end of 2019, when the
first cases of the new complaint were reported in China, hundreds of millions worldwide were
suffering from hunger and malnutrition (See Figure 1). The epidemic—and the posterior
lockdown measures assessed by governments as a response—have only worsened the trouble for
food systems, conceivably speeding up the impending global food exigency. ( a)
As we know, supply chains are one of the significant factors in food balance; if this is affected
by any form of global shock, it could have severe and long-lasting impacts on food security.
Literature Review:
Impact of COVID-19 in the food Sector
The pandemic, policies and other behavioural responses to control it pose various risks to the
food sector, especially food security-related. The biggest of these is supply chain disruption.
Supply chains are the lifeblood of 79% of the world's poor living in rural areas. Current trends
suggest a low-income country will lose a decade of income gains due to the pandemic (The
Economist, 2021)9. This includes direct and indirect threats to food security and agricultural
productivity in the years to come. Assessing these risks requires a clear understanding of viral
epidemiology, public health, and the economics of behaviour and policy responses to this rapidly
evolving pandemic.
The following section provides an overview of the impacts of COVID-19 poses to the food
sector. Risks fall into four main categories: supply chains, production systems, labour markets,
and demand patterns (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Primary Channeles of Supply Chain Disruption by Covid-19
Supply Chains in the food sector 
10. Much of the food supply chain disruption stems from measures aimed at curbing the spread
of the virus, leading to disruptions in domestic and international markets. One of the biggest
misalignments in supply chain logistics is the exchange and delivery of goods and services in all
directions in all market economies. They delay inputs, auxiliary inputs, and final products. Risks
associated with disruptions to logistics will inevitably affect prices. That means food
affordability and availability, agricultural inputs, technology adoption, and investment decisions
in the food supply chain.
Figure 2: Long-Term Impacts of Logistics Disruptions
Restrictions and Lockdowns 
12. Containment measures restricting the movement of people and goods within and between
countries are a significant cause of disruption in food supply chains. These policies were
necessary to contain the spread of the virus but caused widespread logistical errors and
misallocation of food. For example, policies requiring restaurants, hotels, and schools to close
mean that producers cannot sell products to established buyers, and farmers have (usually
perishable) produce but no customers. In the United States, the Dairy Farmers of America
reported that as of April 2020, its members discarded more than 3.7 million gallons of milk daily
because of such disruptions (Yaffe -Bellany & Corkery, 2020) 11Figure 3: Knock-On Effects of
Logistics Disruptions (Example)

Demand for commodities is skyrocketing, and the surge in demand exacerbates logistics
bottlenecks. When income shocks reduce complementary food purchases, farmers may consume
grains and livestock to supplement their food intake at the expense of future production and
income. Similarly, lower payments may reduce investment in inputs needed for future crops
(Food security and COVID-19, 2021) 14.
Imports and Exports 
Containment measures restricting cross-border movement initially created a diverse and mutually
reinforcing set of bottlenecks, port backlogs and labor market turmoil. Shortages and backlogs
have primarily subsided, FAO reports. Still, port disruptions are having vast and costly long-term
effects on shipping container inventory management and shipping prices. Early port disruptions
included social distancing and sanitizing protocols that significantly increased customs,
transhipment and transit times at borders as temporary measures that directly restricted imports
and exports.
Between November 2020 and February 2021, rental costs for shipping containers from Asia to
Europe increased by more than 250%, and costs for shipping containers from Asia to North
America increased by more than 80%22.
Traders and Middlemen 
16. Distributors and intermediaries are essential in connecting food suppliers and customers.
However, COVID-19 travel restrictions have left distributors and intermediaries unable to
perform vital transportation and logistics operations for producers and consumers. In India,
middlemen and traders face obstacles in collecting perishable products such as milk from
dispersed production sites, leading to product wastage and loss of livelihoods28. The closure of
local markets and the resulting reduction in demand from traders will reduce income and food
security, increase food waste, and disrupt low-income businesses and households across the
value chain (small farmers, traders, intermediaries, etc.). commercial, informal) increase the
number of products that do not reach consumers. Workers and consumers 32.
Sanitary Requirements and Inspection Protocols 
17. Initial uncertainties regarding the transmission and animal host potential of COVID-19 have
raised concerns about sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for agricultural foods, especially
meat and seafood. The World Trade Organization reported that 38 member countries had
informed the organization of product standards, regulations or procedures34. Additional
sanitation and documentation requirements could create additional costs for agro-food producers,
discourage export investment, and unfairly favour domestic producers over international ones
producers37
Production Systems 
18. Containment measures that have disrupted cross-border transport, trade in goods and
services, and movements of traders and middlemen have also affected production systems in the
food sector.
Delivery of Inputs  
Delays in delivering vital agricultural inputs, technologies, and services during critical seasonal
periods are commonly reported effects of COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. For example, the
Asia and Pacific Food and Fertilizer Technology Center found that in the summer of 2020,
40.5% of farmers surveyed in Vietnam could not purchase the inputs they needed when needed,
and 32.5% were unable to buy them due to supply disruptions.
Prices of Inputs 
21. Supply disruptions and inflation have pushed farm input prices, undermining net income and
farmers' investment incentives. FAO predicts that disruptions in production systems will reduce
agricultural yields and lead to food shortages, especially for perishable and expensive
commodities. Food prices have risen in response to these disruptions, and higher headline
inflation reduces purchasing power. A rapid and significant decline in purchasing power will
exacerbate the food insecurity challenge in low-income countries45.
Figure IMF Primary Commodity Prices

Source: Primary Commodity Price System, International Monetary Fund https://data.imf.org/?

sk=471DDDF8D8A7499A81BA5B332C01F8B9&sId=1547558078595
Processing 
22. Policies such as social distancing and quarantine protocols have created backlogs in food
processing, resulting in unprecedented food waste and mismatches between product supply and
demand. For clarity, livestock supply includes the production of animal processing as a route
from upstream producers to market. Conversely, livestock demand includes processing as an
intermediary to deliver products from live animals to consumers. Thus, the disruption in
livestock processing caused by COVID-19 caused a demand shock for (upstream) producers and
a supply shock for (downstream) consumers.
Figure: Livestock Supply Chain Disruptions

Labor Markets 
25. COVID-19 and associated containment measures have suddenly hit the food labour market,
leading to long-term unemployment in many sectors of the global economy. According to the
International Labor Organization's estimated report, eighty-one million people have lost their
jobs as a result of the pandemic63. Many agri-food companies face labour supply constraints as
immigration patterns change, restricted movement, and absenteeism increases. The effects of
these changes are most clearly felt in the downstream sectors of the food industry.
Migration
28. Labor mobility within and between countries is an essential aspect of the dynamism and
long-term viability of the modern food sector. In the early days of the pandemic, many workers
left the cities and returned to their rural hometowns as they were suspended from work due to the
pandemic. This migration has exacerbated strains on local food systems as demand for
commodities has increased and strained public health systems as migrants from urban areas have
brought COVID-19 into rural areas. Restrictions on movement have also led to a misallocation
of the labour force76. Absenteeism was also frequently reported. For example, in France, staff
availability in meat processing plants has dropped by almost 30%78. Labour shortages in the
agri-food sector were widespread79. In Australia, for example, crops rotted in the fields when
migrant workers failed to harvest.
Food Security 
42. As noted above, the myriad disruptions caused by COVID-19 pose a significant threat to
food security worldwide.
The affordability of food is measured by "the ability of consumers to purchase food, their
vulnerability to price shocks, and the existence of programs and policies to support customers in
the event of price shocks." 110. Food availability is measured by "the adequacy of a country's
food supply, the risk of supply disruption, the country's ability to distribute food, and research
efforts to expand agricultural production." FAO's biannual report on the world food market113
forecasts moderate growth in the global production of cereals, wheat, coarse grains, rice, meat
and meat products, milk and dairy products, and fish.
Quality and Safety of Food
45. Food quality and safety are measured by 'average dietary diversity, nutritional quality, and
food safety. These localized price increases directly affect food security and nutrition, especially
as access to food becomes increasingly difficult for the poor.
The pandemic has changed the overall food landscape as countries closed informal food markets
as sources of disease transmission.[80] There has also been a shift towards the consumption of
more processed foods. did [81]

 Impact of COVID-19 on Human Psychology

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a high death rate
and, therefore, negatively impacts mental health, thus causing social
concerns due to government restrictions. 70, 71]. Therefore, the
symptoms of distress, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety,
frustration, and suicide could stem from the length of the duration of the
sanitary measures taken to control the virus[72, 73

Future outlook and Prospectives

A 'food system' approach to tackling malnutrition requires an integrated strategy considering
supply and demand. To build resilient food systems, we must step up our strategic actions to
meet people's needs now and after the crisis subsides. The pandemic is terrifying and costly, but
it is a tipping point to rebalance and transform food systems to make them more inclusive,
sustainable and resilient. [91]
To mitigate the food security and public health challenges posed by Covid-19, governments need
to address the short-term issues and the issues needed to build long-term resilience.

First, countries need to implement policies and make investments to lower the cost of
nutritious food. Addressing global nutrition goals requires inclusive, sustainable and efficient
food systems that provide nutritious food. Urgent action is needed to ensure access for the
poorest. Policies should be aligned with nutrition-sensitive value chains to increase food storage,
processing, packaging, distribution and marketing efficiency, thereby reducing food loss.
Second, more robust social protection programs need to be launched to improve access to
nutritious food and mitigate the social disruption and economic shock caused by the pandemic.
Social security, health and food systems help meet people's nutritional needs. Such protective
measures enhance food resilience.
Third, we need to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth to create more job
opportunities and improve living standards.
 To overcome psychological problems, it is recommended to train
psychologists and social workers in the management of the effects of
pandemics and health emergencies [74, 75] and to sensitize patients to
consult psychologists to reduce the risk of contagion [76, 77].