Archives
Introduction
Food Supply Chains: Recent growth in global activity
Peter J Lillford
Honorary Chair, Public Understanding of Science, CNAP, Department of Biology; Director, National Non-Food Crops Centre, Innovation Centre, University of York, York, United Kingdom
Abstract
Where does our food come from? The answer is from farms and fisheries, but as consumers in our developed urbanised society we know the reality is from a retail outlet. In other words; we shop.
In my youth, shopping meant a trip on foot to a variety of small retailers, stocking post-war English commodities, some of which were rationed. I first saw a banana at age about five, and developed a passion for exotic pomegranates in my teens. My mother spent at least 25% of her waking hours preparing meals for the family.
My children on the other hand, drive to a supermarket where everything is to hand, they complain if the mangoes aren’t fresh and buy international cuisine, microwaveable within minutes. How did this change occur within one generation? The answer is ‘progress and success’ in the development of the food supply chain. To map its history, we must first understand the ‘players’ and the factors driving change. The dominant driver is easy to identify.
Since the whole chain is in the hands of the private sector, the motivation for all the players is profit and survival against competition. The stories of growth, survival and decline of the various players relates to their ability to provide benefit to their customers, and eventually to us, the consumers. That some are financially successful is beyond doubt. Table 1 gives the data on the performance of the major global players, several of whom have turnover and profits comparable to the GDP of nation states.
Continues ...
References
Action Aid (2008) retrieved 21 April 2008 from http://www.actionaid.com.
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (2005) Foodcrops and Shortages: No 3 October 2005, retrieved 21 April 2008 from http://www.fao.org/giews/english/fs/index.htm.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Economic and Social Department (2006) State of Food Insecurity in the World 2006, retrieved 21 April 2008 from http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0750e/a0750e00.htm.
Hanssen M and Marsden J (1987) E for Additives. Thorsons: London.
Jordan PW (2000) Designing Pleasurable Products: An Introduction to New Human Factors, Taylor and Francis: London.
Koester U (1982) Policy Options for the Grain Economy of the European Community. International Food Policy Research Institute: London.
Leistner F and Gould G (2001) Hurdle Technology. Aspen: New York.
Nestlé Corporation (2005) Nestlé Annual Report, accessed from http://www.nestle.com/NR, 21 April 2008.
Office of Science and Technology (1996) Progress Through Partnership: Food and Drink No 7, HMSO, London.
Oligopoly Inc (2003) Concentration in Corporate Power, Ottawa: Canada.
Regni A and Gehlhar M (2005) New Directions in Global Food Markets, Agriculture Information Bulletin No 794, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service: Washington DC.
Regni A, Gehlhar M, Wainio J, Vollrath T, Johnston P and Kathuria N (2005) Market Access for High Value Foods, Agricultural Economic Report No 840, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service: Washington DC.
Unilever Corporation (2005) Unilever Annual Report Walmart (2208) retrieved 21 April 2008 from http://www.walmart.com.
eContent Home