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. 2021 May:123:107839.
doi: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107839. Epub 2021 Jan 1.

Effects of COVID-19 on the Italian agri-food supply and value chains

Benedetta Coluccia  1 , Giulio Paolo Agnusdei  2 , Pier Paolo Miglietta  3 , Federica De Leo  1
Affiliations

Effects of COVID-19 on the Italian agri-food supply and value chains

Benedetta Coluccia et al. Food Control. 2021 May.

Abstract

The spread of COVID-19 has not only led to many deaths but also to social and economic downturn globally. The study represents an exhaustive compilation of relevant macroeconomic data regarding the status of the agri-food sector from a demand side perspective and an overview of the food product producer and consumer prices after the shock. Its main purpose is to assess the resilience level of the agri-food sector to the coronavirus pandemic, analyzing its effect on commodity prices and focusing on the supply and value chain. The results highlight that fresh and perishable products, whose production or harvest took place during the first wave of COVID-19, have suffered price level effects, while storable products have not registered significant impacts. This phenomenon is mainly due to the vulnerability of the harvest and production phases, which affected fresh and perishable products supply, and to the resilience of transports and logistics, which instead ensured the supply of storable products to the final consumer. Especially in case of future pandemic waves, the implications and information deriving from the present analysis could support researchers, policy makers and managers, serving as an assessment tool to build suitable strategies for the whole agri-food supply chain and thus ensure sector resilience during these unprecedented times.

Keywords: Coronavirus; Food control; Pandemic; Prices; Resilience; Supply chain.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors whose names are listed immediately below certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The timeline of measures adopted in Italy during the evolution of the first wave COVID-19 pandemic.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Methodological framework and data processing fluxes.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Retail sales value from March 2019 to July 2020 and comparison of Mar–May 2020 vs Mar–May 2019 (base 2015 = 100).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Retail sales value in the food sector by distribution channel from March 2019 to July 2020 and comparison of Mar–May 2020 vs Mar–May 2019, (base 2015 = 100).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Value of Italy-world export March 2019 to July 2020 and comparison of Mar–May 2020 vs Mar–May 2019 (million euros).
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Value of exports of the main agricultural and food industry products from Italy to the world.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Italian confirmed cases and Consumer Food Price Index under the effect of COVID-19.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Trend of Consumer Price Index for food by geographical area and comparison of Mar–May 2020 vs Mar–May 2019 (base 2015 = 100).
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Geographical distribution of CPI for food in April 2019 and April 2020.
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Producer Price Index trend for cereals, fruits and vegetables and comparison of Mar–May 2020 vs Mar–May 2019 (base 2015 = 100).
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
Producer Price Index trend for milk, dairy products and eggs and comparison of Mar–May 2020 vs Mar–May 2019 (base 2015 = 100).
Fig. 12
Fig. 12
Producer Price Index trend for wine and olive oil and comparison of Mar–May 2020 vs Mar–May 2019 (base 2015 = 100).
Fig. 13
Fig. 13
Producer Price Index trend for beef cattle, sheep and goat, pigs and rabbits and comparison of Mar–May 2020 vs Mar–May 2019 (base 2015 = 100).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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