Thumbnail Image

International Trade Working Paper

Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Trade in the Commonwealth

Year of publication 2020

Place of publication London, UK ;

Pages 33 p.

Author Vickers, B., Ali, S., Zhuawu, C., Zimmermann, A., Attaallah, H., Dervisholli, E.

Publisher Commonwealth and FAO ;

Product type Booklet

ISBN 978-92-5-133778-3

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) This paper explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on trade in food products in Commonwealth countries. Firstly, it provides an overview of agricultural and food trade of Commonwealth member countries and identifies potential vulnerabilities to trade disruptions. It then identifies immediate impacts of the pandemic on trade. Thereafter, it outlines policy initiatives different Commonwealth countries have adopted to ensure adequate supplies of food and access to food by their populations. In conclusion, it recommends measures Commonwealth countries could take to maintain trade flows in agriculture and food products and to build resilience to protect against future crises.

See the full list of policy briefs related to COVID-19.

Cite this content as:

​Vickers, B., Ali, S., Zhuawu, C., Zimmermann, A., Attaallah, H., and Dervisholli, E. 2020. International Trade Working Paper 2020/15. London, Commonwealth Secretariat and FAO.

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Booklet
    The impact of COVID-19 on fisheries and aquaculture food systems. Possible responses – Information paper, November 2020
    Information paper, November 2020
    2021
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The purpose of this information paper is to update information on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the measures taken, to inform on the ongoing impact on the fisheries and aquaculture food systems, and responses from seafood providers and governments to counteract the negative impacts on seafood chains.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    Mitigating risks to food systems during COVID-19
    Reducing food loss and waste
    2020
    Also available in:
    The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc globally, generating significant challenges that could result in risks to food security and nutrition in many countries. Countries are ordering lockdowns, restricting movement and observing physical distancing to curb the pandemic. Disruptions in supply chains resulting from blockages on transport routes, transport restrictions and quarantine measures are resulting in significant increases in food loss and waste, especially of perishable agricultural produce such as fruits and vegetables, fish, meat and dairy products. In addition, labour shortages, owing to the restriction of movement of key stakeholders in production and transport, are significantly impacting food supply and demand owing to food shortages in some markets, further contributing to food loss and to the unnecessary waste of food supplies in these difficult times. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) encourages countries to adopt holistic approaches to tackle food loss and waste reduction, in an effort to facilitate access to food for all and particularly for vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    The Niger | Revised humanitarian response (May–December 2020): Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
    Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
    2020
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The Niger has been facing multiple recurrent and persistent shocks (e.g. drought, insecurity, massive population displacement, etc.), significantly affecting agricultural and pastoral production, and increasing the levels of food insecurity and malnutrition. Following the first reported COVID-19 case in the country (20 March 2020), the Government put in place a series of urgent and essential health-related restrictive measures, the effects of which are still being felt even though the majority have recently been lifted. Disruptions to markets, food chain supply and trade could limit people’s access to sufficient and diverse sources of food, especially in areas hard hit by the virus or already affected by high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition. In the framework of FAO’s Corporate COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme and the United Nations Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19, FAO has revised its humanitarian response for 2020 to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and address the needs of the most vulnerable households.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.