Food for thought: How the coronavirus pandemic could shake-up UK appetites
For the majority of UK consumers, when it comes to food, the coronavirus pandemic will be defined by empty supermarket shelves, long queues, and a rediscovered love for home baking.
But while supply chains may have responded quickly to increased demand and changing shopping habits, the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on our food systems are less straightforward.
One thing that is for certain, according to John Giles, senior agri-food consultant at Promar International, is the economic recession caused by the pandemic will prevent food shopping and consumption from going entirely back to normal — even when some sense of normal daily life resumes.
“With huge swathes of people faced with losing their jobs, we’re looking at an economic downturn that could last for several years, and that will have implications for the food people buy,” he says.
“When the shops and restaurants open, we’ll initially see an explosion of pent-up demand, but that will tail-off very quickly as people become more cautious about spending.
“During the 2008 recession people became aware of the cost of food and we saw more people shopping in discount retailers,” he adds. “I think we’ll see even more awareness of costs, and that will change what people…
