Food industry must adapt to commodity shortages

The independent research organisation Chatham House has launched a project to examine how the UK can best secure its food supply in the face of global food production shortages.

One thing seems clear to the project's authors: "Britain as a society will need to make the right policy choices if it is to secure the kind of food supply that best supports its interests".

Global food production is under pressure to meet existing supply requirements while demands are set to grow. Europe may escape the worst effects but "It is likely to experience changes and British food and drink industries will need to adapt".

The report warns that food and drink companies might "need to change their mind-set to focus on longer-term supply relationships and more sustainable behaviours - implying a move away from short-term, exclusively profit-led goal."