The federal government is assuring Australians that the country is one of the most food secure countries in the world, despite the severe drought season and recent food item shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, releasing its findings in its latest Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Insights report.
Food security is referred to as the “physical availability of food, and to whether people have the resources and opportunity to gain reliable access to it”.
The ABARES Insights report – Analysis of Australian food security and the COVID-19 pandemic – states that supply chains have been taken by surprise, as empty supermarket shelves reflect an unexpected surge in demand due to consumer stockpiling, triggered by the uncertainties of COVID-19.
“This disruption is temporary and not an indication of food shortages. Rather, it is a result of logistics taking time to adapt to the large unexpected surge in purchasing,” the report said.
“Australia imports just over 10 per cent of domestically consumed food and beverages, to meet consumer preferences for taste and variety. It is unlikely – but possible – that COVID-19 could disrupt these supply chains temporarily, resulting in inconvenience for some consumers. This would not threaten the food security of most Australians.”
Australia is a net food exporter, including in severe drought years, and exports around 70 per cent of agricultural outputs in average or favourable seasonal conditions. Agricultural exports were worth around $48 billion in 2018-19.
International trade is crucial to Australia’s national income, economic performance as well as global food security, the report states, as trade lowers food prices for consumers in importing countries.
“Participation in global agricultural markets also reduces price volatility and the potential for food price spikes (particularly in droughts or other periods of low-domestic production) because weather and other supply risks are shared across global production and exports, resulting in more stable prices and supply volumes,” it said.
“These trade-related improvements in food security also contribute to improved social stability and resilience, particularly in countries with higher levels of poverty or more variable growing conditions.”
The majority of Australia’s food is produced domestically and meets the food needs “even during drought years”. The current shortages or disruptions that could potentially impact on productivity or profitability is important for “business and government to actively monitor and manage”.
The full report can be accessed here.
