agrofood

Agrofood, or the agrofood system, refers to the integrated set of activities that connects agricultural production with the processing, distribution, and consumption of food. It encompasses the farm sector, processing and packaging, logistics, wholesale, retail, and food service, forming a value chain from farm to fork.

Components: It includes farming, input supply, post-harvest handling, primary and secondary processing, packaging, storage, transportation, and marketing. Actors range from smallholder farmers and cooperatives to multinational agribusiness firms, with global supply chains moving products across borders to meet consumer demand.

Sustainability and safety: Environmental and health considerations shape agrofood policy, including resource efficiency, soil and water management, biodiversity, waste and emissions. Food safety, quality control, and traceability are central, guided by standards and regulations such as HACCP, ISO 22000, and country-specific rules.

Innovation and trends: Technological advances such as precision agriculture, digital farming, cold chain improvements, and post-harvest technologies increase efficiency. Trends include organic and certified products, convenience formats, and e-commerce, along with efforts to improve transparency through digital labeling and data sharing.

Challenges and economics: The sector faces price volatility, climate risks, pests and diseases, logistics disruptions, and regulatory fragmentation. Investment in rural development, infrastructure, and research supports productivity and resilience, while the agrofood system remains a major source of employment and export income in many regions.