Experts have named extreme weather conditions as the main challenge for food supply in Europe in the EU food security assessment published by the European Commission. UNN writes about this with reference to Euractiv.
Details
The report is based on the opinions of experts, including representatives of EU member states, regions and various stakeholder groups across the EU food chain.
The results of a previous study conducted in the second half of 2023 highlighted extreme weather events, import dependence, transportation obstacles, market volatility, and high production costs as major food security concerns.
This latest assessment shows that similar concerns persist in 2024.
This time, however, respondents working for national public administrations in EU countries expressed more concern about extreme weather events, high production costs, and commodity prices.
In turn, industry representatives emphasized the general risk associated with adverse weather conditions for food production and highlighted the challenges associated with transportation, especially when drought affects the ability to use inland waterways due to low water levels.
At the same time, the report emphasizes the stabilization of food inflation below 5% in early 2024 and points to a slight decline in retail food prices.