After the COVID-19 pandemic: changes and continuities in the food supply chain

Abstract Objectives As the global COVID-19 pandemic stabilizes and control measures gradually improve, the food supply chain enters the post-pandemic era. The food supply chain is closely related to people’s daily life, and it is becoming increasingly important to grasp its development direction in the post-pandemic era. So the aim of this paper is to summarize the changes and continuity of the food supply chains in the post-pandemic era. Materials and Methods We used food reports published by most global authorities as the data source for this study and analyzed the development of production, logistics, and consumption of food supply chains from the two dimensions of post-pandemic and pre-pandemic. Results Our paper shows, on one hand, the relaxation of COVID-19 control measures allows food production workers to return to their jobs, facilitates smooth food logistics, and reduces uncertainty in the food supply chain, thereby providing a better environment for its development. On the other hand, Industry 4.0 plays an increasingly prominent role in the food supply chain. Conclusions The trends of digitalization and mechanization in food production, cold chain logistics, smart logistics, online shopping and health-conscious consumption that emerged during the pandemic will continue to persist and evolve in the post-pandemic era. We attempt to systematically analyze the development trend of the food supply chain in the post-pandemic era, point out the implications and approaches for future research, and provide theoretical references for researchers, practitioners, and consumers in the food field.