The massive spread of the deadly coronavirus has resulted in a paradigm shift in what the world considers normal. With an estimated 3,820,737 positive cases worldwide, according to Worldometer, COVID-19 has sent waves of terror across the masses, devastating not just lives but also the economy of most nations, given the strict implementation of lockdowns throughout the world.
Major sector verticals have suffered due to the pandemic, as manufacturers struggle to keep their companies viable in what financial experts describe as a “crisis much worse than the economic turmoil of 2008-2009.” Among the numerous industries that have suffered a decline, the food and beverage (F&B) industry seems to have suffered the most. In the following years, F&B market vendors will need to brace themselves for the long-term effect of COVID-19, which is expected to emerge as one of the industry’s main problems.
Demands for Sustainability
Implementing the plastic ban is based on a philosophy that has been debated on worldwide forums for many years and has finally come to reality. The continuous industrialization development rate, of which the F&B industry is a significant arm, has had a catastrophic effect on the environment, leading to eco-friendliness being the big slogan out there. Excessive use and inappropriate disposal of plastic have emerged as one of the main problems confronting food and beverage managers today, whether intentionally or unwittingly.
In this situation, a product labeled as “eco-friendly” has a stronger customer connection. It is more likely to generate profitable sales than a product labeled as “harmful to the environment.” Food and beverage producers and merchants are currently working to make the food production process more environmentally friendly by using various recycling methods. The use of green business practices– from manufacturing to packaging and supply chain management–is a critical approach to addressing current problems in the food sector.
Stricter Culture in the Regulatory Landscape
While this may seem to be stating the obvious, the reality is that the F&B industry is heavily regulated. Organizations such as the FDA, EPA, OSHA, and FTC have been particularly vigilant in upholding standards related to the introduction of healthy goods, the regulation of food labeling, the maintenance of a clean, sanitary atmosphere, and the like. Today, businesses keen on getting on the good side of the hurdle are investing in reinforced equipment and processes. And many of them are very particular with their packaging process, keen on improving dispensaries through various infrastructure designs and tools like advanced liquid filling nozzles. To cope with it, businesses must ensure the highest accuracy and precision in all aspects of their operations, from production to distribution.
While most businesses are known to follow the rules obliviously, the frequent changes in waste disposal, food quality, raw materials, excess production, paperwork, and so on have emerged as one of the main difficulties that food and beverage management encounters. Frequently, the ever-changing changes have resulted in businesses recalling food items from their shops.
The Impact of COVID-19
So far, the food and beverage industry has borne the brunt of the coronavirus. The F&B business has been grudgingly dealing with the pandemic, from production and supply chain to the restaurant sector, food service enterprises, and food delivery organizations. Employees have been unable to work at factories due to nationwide lockdowns, significantly affecting the supply chain. With farming and agricultural operations suffering, the prospect of a food shortfall looms big. Fearful of the prolonged lockdowns, the public has resorted to panic purchasing, resulting in further food shortages and a significant gap between those who can afford to stockpile and those who cannot.
While the common assumption is that this bleak situation will continue until a treatment for COVID-19 is discovered, experts believe otherwise. It has been predicted that the pandemic’s repercussions would likely last for a long time. This is also true for the food and beverage sector since individuals have been practicing social distancing for a long time in favor of the “new normal.” As a result of the shift in consumer eating patterns, restaurant companies are likely to suffer, while the meat sector is also projected to suffer. Food and beverage executives must keep these concerns in mind to plan strategic efforts to keep their businesses alive.
The difficulties that food and beverage managers confront are undeniably numerous due to extreme competition, and a single change is likely to impact the whole supply chain. Newer markets, shifting consumer spending, rising food costs, worldwide appetite, and improved technology are all expected to cause significant changes in this industry in the coming years. Despite the industry’s ongoing difficulties, it is expected to post strong growth in the future. It remains to be seen how the global F&B sector will fare in the future, with disposable income levels, changing lifestyles, and favorable government changes all playing a role.
