Impact of COVID-19 on Food Systems: A Situation Report


The COVID-19 pandemic is a multiplier of vulnerability, compounding threats to food security and nutrition (FSN) while exposing weaknesses in food systems.1 In response, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) developed the Keeping Food Markets Working (KFMW) programme to provide targeted support to help sustain core food systems, workers and markets during the COVID-19 emergency. The programme’s objective is to mitigate the risk of collapse of the countries’ food systems to sustain the availability and affordability of nutritious food.

This document is the sixth situation report2 generated to synthesise insights on the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on food systems for use by practitioners and policymakers. The analysis focuses on a set of 10 countries where GAIN works (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda and Tanzania). A particular focus is placed on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the food system and how nutritious foods value chains are changing.