The Future of Food Chains

OUTLOOK

substitutions over coming years. The greatest reductions in the environmental impact of our food chains can be achieved through a reduction in the consumption of land-based meat as the primary protein source. This will likely require and result in substitutions to protein rich-plants, minimally processed foods such as Tofu and Seitan and the adoption of meat alternatives in the processed food sector.

The result for supply chains is an inherent need to be able to pivot capacity in order to serve and facilitate new product lines and ranges, and to be able to operate at efficient speed helping to extend shelf lives of fresh and seasonal produce. Assets located along key supply routes for fresh and quality produce, are likely to see outperformance over the long term, as their demand is relatively inelastic due to the critical role played in just in time and rapid fulfilment for sought after perishable goods. Additional food chain clusters may arise in locations within proximity to arable land, or in proximity to new SME’s that emerge within infant markets such as plant based meat alternatives, and immune support food products. Retail spaces will evolve to accommodate new product lines and food types, resulting to changes in the size and layout of the retail network.

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0 FRANCE

ITALY

PORTUGAL

CANADA

SPAIN

POLAND NETHERLAND

HUNGARY UNITED STATES

Y DIET COST

HEALTH PREMIUM ($)

Source: Our World in Data, 2022

27 FUTURE OF FOOD CHAIN |