A report outlining long-term risks to a resilient food system in the UK has been published by the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD).
The report, titled A System Under Pressure: an Overview of Long-Term Risks to the UK Food System, was said by IGD to provide a “unique resource” to help food business leaders and policy makers “understand and articulate” the challenges faced by the food industry.
Naomi Kissman, social impact director at IGD, said: “Understanding the complex, interconnected risks across the whole food system is challenged and this report seeks to support better understanding.
“Only when we look at the whole system, from farm to fork, taking a birds-eye view of the issues at play, can we build resilience in an increasingly fragile world. Mitigating the risks in this climate of rapid change will require us all to work together in collaboration and that’s what IGD does well.”
Unpacking the impacts of food insecurity and climate change
The report addressed themes such as climate, agriculture, disease, biodiversity loss, labour and skills, geopolitics and cyber security.
IGD said the “challenge of attracting new talent” to UK food had received greater attention since 2023’s Independent Review into Labour Shortages in the UK Food Supply Chain and continues to be a current burning issue. It also said the “deficit of technical and digital skills” in the workforce is also mirrored by a “greater need” for the food and consumer goods industry to modernise its cyber, logistics, automation and data reporting operations.
In alignment with IGD’s Economic Viewpoint, retail and shopper insights, the report also details the economic issues faced by retailers. Margin pressure and availability continue to be pervasive among the concerns of businesses across the supply-chain, from producers to retailers, processers, manufacturers and service operators.
“Period of challenge and adjustment” expected
The impact of geopolitics on food constitutes another chapter, highlighting the interdependent nature of the global food supply chain and how conflict influences supply – from the price of farming inputs such as fertiliser, to the availability of shopping basket staples.
IGD commented that as the UK moves deeper into a general election year, food security and climate change will form part of the national conversation. The report looks to unpack the increasing impacts of climate change on food supply and the pressure for companies to reach Net Zero targets while meeting reporting compliance.
It also said the age of farmers (42% being over 60) and the Government’s new environmental land management scheme, ELMS, will mean that a period of challenge and adjustment is expected over the next few years. Access to the amount of capital needed to support farm production will be a constant issue. Factors of biodiversity and water scarcity also come into play and the report explores these, with reference to modern agriculture being the primary driver of poor soil health.
The topic of disease is also looked at in this report, with international trade and current farming systems leaving crops vulnerable to new disease variants. On top of this, legislation-based challenges, such as the new Target Operating Model of border checks are described alongside lack of genetic diversity as risks that will need to be mitigated.
Matthew Stoughton-Harris, head of corporate affairs at IGD, said: “We encourage industry leaders to use the chapters of this report as trusted background research when planning and decision-making. As the food industry comes together to solve some of the important challenges of our times, IGD is here to support, driving collaboration and supplying crucial insight that offers a neutral perspective on these critical topics.”
