Covid-19 and agri foods: recalibrating expectations

Abstract

The present opinion article shows that a current coronavirus pandemic can result in a major food crisis - but with different effects according to the level of development of countries - unless, of course, they are measures for emergency economic use and keep demand at an adequate minimum level, especially in low-income economies. Governments must provide minimal resources for economies in poorer countries and populations. Otherwise, a COVID-19 can cause more deaths not only from the transmission, but also from the poverty and hunger of part of the world population. The solutions to the current crisis need to be multilateral, or are being carried out among members of the government in order, on the one hand, to avoid restrictions that further reduce economic activity, and, on the other, to support investments with less use so that they have conditions to maintain fiscal and monetary policies that make the volumes of goods, capital, services and people viable.