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The G20 Agriculture Ministers met on 21/04/2020 to discuss the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the agri-food sector. Ministers addressed the issue of unjustified restrictive measures that could lead to significant fluctuations in food prices. In a joint statement, ministers called for COVID-19 crisis measures to be targeted, transparent and temporary. The need to prevent a global food crisis, to refrain from introducing new trade restrictions, and to maintain the number of seasonal workers were also discussed.
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The European organization CLITRAVI, representing meat processors, reacted last week to the decline in emissions in the EU in connection with the introduction of restrictive measures during the coronavirus pandemic. CLITRAVI notes in this context that several establishments and transport have been limited; what has not stopped, however, is the production and processing of meat in the EU. According to CLITRAVI, global pollution during coronavirus pandemic decreased by 50%, without any reduction in livestock production. CLITRAVI therefore supported the shift of attention from the relationship between livestock production and the volume of emissions produced towards more problematic sectors.
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European demand for bioethanol as a fuel additive has currently fallen sharply due to limited traffic. The price of oil fell on 21/04/2020 to $ 16 (€ 14.73) per barrel, the lowest level since 1999. According to the German organization BDBe for bioethanol, the consumption of bioethanol in DE in 2019 fell by 2.22% compared to by 2018 to 1.16 million tonnes, bioethanol consumption increased by 6% in real terms in January 2020. Demand for bioethanol is declining throughout the year, but now, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for bioethanol as a raw material for disinfectants has strengthened.
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On 20/04/2020, the European Commission published a short-term market outlook for 2020. According to the European Commission, the sector is effectively adapting to the new circumstances related to the COVID-19 outbreak, mitigation of effect of COVID-19 pandemic is also supported by measures taken by the Commission. As a result of the restrictions, demand for pasta, rice, flour, canned fruits and vegetables increased, while consumption of meat, wine and specialty cheeses decreased.
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US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue decided at a time of economic downturn following the coronavirus pandemic to implement a $ 19 billion aid package to U.S. farmers and processors. Of this amount, $ 2.9 billion will be spent on direct aid to dairy farmers and $ 3 billion on dairy purchases to strengthen food donation programs. An additional $ 100 million per month will be allocated to the distribution of dairy and meat products to the public through food aid programs.
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