FAO believes that the epidemic Covid-19 may destroy the global system of food

the spread of the virus Covid-19 and the strengthening of measures to combat it in the next few months will significantly increase the burden on the global system of food - according to the UN FAO.

a New disease has become a global problem that threatens not only lives, but livelihoods. It also changes the demand and supply of food. The imposition of quarantines, border closures and establishments of trade and services, reduce the availability of quality and diverse products, especially in the countries most affected by the virus.

the planet will get the food crisis if measures are not taken to protect vulnerable groups and support the functioning of global food supply chains.

Currently, 820 million people in the world experience chronic hunger, of which 113 million is an acute shortage of food that threatens their lives and makes it dependent on outside assistance for survival. These people can not cope with a possible crisis and will lose access to the products.

If Covid-19, is already present in 100 countries, will spread to 44 countries who need food assistance, or 53 countries, home to 113 million people with an acute shortage of food, most health systems will feel the lack of resources and opportunities that will lead to tragedy.

Vulnerable in FAO consider not only the countries where there is famine or other crises, but also small farmers who can lose the opportunity to cultivate land and access markets to sell their products. In addition, 85 million children in Latin America and the Caribbean lost school meals, which is a stable source of obtaining food.

Recall that the outbreak of the Ebola virus in Sierra-Leone in 2014-2016 prevented the farmers to harvest and deliver it to the markets for mobility restrictions and labor shortages that increased hunger in the region.

Chain food supply is a complex network that includes producers, transport, processing plants etc. Now imposed quarantine measures had almost no effect on her work. But despite the significant grain reserves and good prospects for the next harvest now we can expect lower virobnictva high-value products, such as fruits and vegetables, and meat.

there were problems in the logistics associated with the inability to move products. Decreasing availability of fodder adversely affects livestock. A shortage of workers would stop processing products.

Given the above, since April-may may begin disruptions in the food supply. The price of meat, fruits and vegetables may increase dramatically.

At the beginning of the epidemic was observed panic demand growth, however after falling of incomes of the population will gradually decline, which will lead to a reduction in production.