The outbreak of the coronavirus brings about unprecedented challenges for the EU agri-food sectors. To overcome the difficult times, the European Commission adopted various measures to support the sectors. As a result, the EU agriculture responds and adapts to the new circumstances, including logistical disruptions and rapidly evolving demand, with efficiency. The EU agri sectors demonstrate resiliance, shows the latest short-term outlook report for EU agricultural markets, published on 20 April 2020 by the European Commission. It presents a more detailed overview of the latest trends and further prospects for each agri-food sector.
Due to the confinement measures implemented in the EU and across the world, food demand has rapidly changed since the beginning of the crisis. Stockpiling behaviour as well as the closure of restaurants, bars and hotels is having a direct impact on agri-food producers. On the one hand, staple food such as pasta, rice, flour, canned fruit and vegetables have been in higher demand, benefiting from the switch to home consumption. On the other hand, high-value products, such as quality meat cuts, wine and specialty cheeses – significantly consumed outside – are seeing a significant decrease in consumption.
