COVID-19 Crises & Implications to Agri-Food Sector

Dear Colleagues,

Human food supply is strongly dependent on agronomy sciences and agriculture. Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis and the global lockdown measures (border closure, social restrictions/distancing, limited access to raw materials and agrochemicals, labour shortages), unprecedented disruptions in agri-food systems as well as food safety and security have occurred. The COVID-19 pandemic has strongly impacted even some of the most resilient agri-food sub-sectors (e.g., free-range farming, organic agriculture), in both self-sufficient and strongly import-dependent economies. Such disturbances in the agri-food market and challenges to the demand–supply system have never been recorded before and are still persisting, as no effective and holistic solutions have been found so far. Many fresh and low-processed agri-foodstuffs have a short shelf-life or require special post-harvest storage and transport conditions, which additionally elevates the production costs and weakens agriculture competitiveness with respect to its productivity before the pandemic. Many agricultural sectors have failed to change and adapt to the new situation caused by the pandemic, recording huge losses. However, some agricultural businesses were able to react, demonstrating strong resilience and flexibility, by applying ICT and smart innovative solutions (e-farm-to-market-to-table food supply, e-gardening, e-advisory services) and by diversifying their production modalities and offer (supported aggregations, development and promotion of locally based models).

For this Special Issue, manuscripts presenting novel research, reviews based on big-data (meta)-analyses, research opinions, and short communications—ranging from specific case studies to works at regional, (inter)national, and global level—that will contribute to the elucidation and better management of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and its implications for agriculture, are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Gabrijel Ondrasek
Guest Editor

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