How Agricultural and Processed Food Products Can Boost Your Health and Economy

Agricultural and processed food products are not only essential for human nutrition, but also for the development of trade, industry and employment. In this article, we will explore the benefits and challenges of producing and exporting these products, as well as some tips on how to choose and consume them wisely.

What are agricultural and processed food products?

According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), agricultural products are those that are derived from farming or animal husbandry, such as cereals, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, poultry, fish and honey. Processed food products are those that have undergone some transformation from their natural state, such as washing, cleaning, milling, cutting, heating, pasteurizing, freezing, drying or packaging. Examples of processed food products are bread, cheese, jam, juice, canned food, frozen food and snacks.

Why are they important for health and economy?

Agricultural and processed food products provide a variety of nutrients that are essential for human health, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They also help prevent and treat various diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy diet should include at least 400 grams of fruits and vegetables per day, as well as adequate amounts of whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, dairy and lean meat.

Agricultural and processed food products also play a vital role in the economy of many countries, especially developing ones. They contribute to the income and livelihood of millions of farmers and workers involved in their production, processing and distribution. They also generate foreign exchange earnings through exports to other markets. According to APEDA, India exported agricultural and processed food products worth USD 18.48 billion in 2019-20, registering a growth of 4.78% over the previous year. The major export destinations were the USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran and Bangladesh.

What are the challenges and opportunities of producing and exporting them?

Producing and exporting agricultural and processed food products is not without challenges. Some of the common ones are:

Climate change: Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, heat waves and storms can affect the yield and quality of crops and livestock.
Pests and diseases: Insects, fungi, bacteria and viruses can damage or destroy plants and animals or contaminate food products.
Food safety: Contamination by harmful substances such as pesticides, heavy metals or microorganisms can pose health risks to consumers.
Food waste: Losses during harvesting, storage, transportation or processing can reduce the quantity and value of food products.
Trade barriers: Tariffs, quotas or non-tariff measures such as sanitary or phytosanitary standards can restrict or limit the access to foreign markets.

To overcome these challenges and seize the opportunities of producing and exporting agricultural and processed food products, some of the possible solutions are:

Adopting sustainable agricultural practices

Using methods such as organic farming, integrated pest management or precision agriculture can enhance the productivity and resilience of crops and livestock while reducing environmental impacts.

Improving food processing technologies

Using techniques such as irradiation, high-pressure processing or nanotechnology can improve the shelf life,
quality or functionality of food products while preserving their nutritional value.

Ensuring food safety standards

Implementing systems such as hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) or good manufacturing practices (GMP) can prevent or control the contamination or spoilage of food products.

Reducing food waste

Applying strategies such as cold chain management, packaging innovation or circular economy can minimize the losses or maximize the utilization of food products.

Enhancing trade facilitation

Negotiating trade agreements, harmonizing regulations or simplifying procedures can reduce the costs or barriers of exporting food products.

How to choose and consume them wisely?

While agricultural and processed food products offer many benefits for health and economy, they also require careful selection and consumption. Some of the tips to follow are:

Choose fresh or minimally processed foods over highly processed ones

Fresh or minimally processed foods retain more of their natural nutrients, flavors and colors than highly processed ones. Highly processed foods often contain added sugar, salt or fat that can increase the risk of obesity or chronic diseases.

Read the labels carefully

Labels provide information about the ingredients, nutritional value or origin of food products. Look for labels that indicate organic, fair trade or geographical indication certification that ensure quality, sustainability or authenticity of food products.

Consume a balanced diet

A balanced diet consists of a variety of foods from different food groups in appropriate portions. Follow the dietary guidelines issued by your country or by WHO to ensure that you meet your nutritional needs and prevent deficiencies or excesses.

Avoid food waste

Plan your meals, shop wisely, store properly, cook creatively and donate or compost leftovers to reduce the amount of food that goes to waste.

Agricultural and processed food products are important for human health and
economy. They provide essential nutrients, prevent and treat diseases, generate income and employment, and earn foreign exchange. However, they also face challenges such as climate change, pests and diseases, food safety, food waste and trade barriers. To overcome these challenges and seize the opportunities, sustainable agricultural practices, improved food processing technologies, food safety standards, food waste reduction and trade facilitation are needed. Moreover, consumers should choose and consume agricultural and processed food products wisely by preferring fresh or minimally processed foods over highly processed ones, reading the labels carefully, consuming a balanced diet and avoiding food waste.

Global Demand for Agricultural and Processed Food Products

The agro-food sector is one of the most important and dynamic sectors of the global economy, as it provides food and income for billions of people. The trade in agro-food products has grown strongly over the last two decades, reaching almost 7% in real terms annually between 2001 and 2019. However, the demand for agricultural and processed food products varies across regions and countries, depending on factors such as population growth, income levels, dietary preferences, environmental conditions, trade policies, and technological innovations. In this blog post, we will examine some of the trends and drivers of the global demand for agricultural and processed food products, based on the latest statistics from various sources.

Demand for Primary Bulk Products

Primary bulk products are those that are traded in large quantities and have low levels of processing, such as cereals, oilseeds, sugar, coffee, cocoa, and cotton. These products account for about 40% of the global agro-food export value. The demand for primary bulk products is mainly driven by population growth, especially in developing regions such as Asia and Africa, where cereals are staple foods for many people. According to the FAO, the global cereal consumption is projected to increase by 13% between 2019 and 2030, reaching 3.2 billion tonnes. The demand for oilseeds is also expected to rise by 22% in the same period, reaching 603 million tonnes, as oilseeds are used for both food and feed purposes. The demand for sugar is projected to grow by 15%, reaching 203 million tonnes, mainly due to the increasing consumption of processed foods and beverages that contain sugar. The demand for coffee and cocoa is also expected to increase, as these products are associated with higher income levels and urbanization.

Demand for Semi-Processed Products

Semi-processed products are those that undergo some degree of processing before being traded, such as vegetable oils, dairy products, meat products, flour, starch, and alcohol. These products account for about 35% of the global agro-food export value. The demand for semi-processed products is mainly driven by income growth, dietary diversification, and changing consumer preferences. As people become wealthier and more urbanized, they tend to consume more animal products, vegetable oils, and processed foods that require semi-processed inputs. According to the FAO, the global meat consumption is projected to increase by 14% between 2019 and 2030, reaching 376 million tonnes. The demand for dairy products is also expected to rise by 22%, reaching 947 million tonnes, as dairy products are rich in protein and calcium. The demand for vegetable oils is projected to grow by 25%, reaching 250 million tonnes, as vegetable oils are used for both food and industrial purposes.

Demand for Processed Products

Processed products are those that have high levels of processing and value addition, such as fresh, chilled, and prepared meats, dairy products, processed fruit and vegetables, bakery products, confectionery, beverages, and spices. These products account for about 25% of the global agro-food export value. The demand for processed products is mainly driven by convenience, quality, variety, health awareness, and cultural factors. As people have busier lifestyles and more disposable income, they tend to consume more ready-to-eat foods that save time and offer convenience. As people have higher expectations and more choices, they tend to consume more high-quality foods that offer variety and taste. As people have more information and awareness, they tend to consume more healthy foods that offer nutritional benefits and safety. As people have more exposure and curiosity, they tend to consume more exotic foods that offer cultural diversity and novelty.

The global demand for agricultural and processed food products is influenced by a complex interplay of factors that vary across regions and countries. The demand is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, as the world population increases and incomes rise. However, the demand also faces some challenges and uncertainties, such as climate change impacts, trade tensions, pandemic shocks, consumer preferences shifts, technological innovations disruptions etc. Therefore it is important to monitor the trends and drivers of the global demand for agricultural and processed food products using reliable statistics from various sources.

References:

https://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/80400525/Data/retn/retn06.pdf

http://www.utne.com/Environment/Fast-Food-Culinary-Ethos.aspx?page=4

https://books.google.com/books?id=c7swDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA30

https://www.fao.org/statistics/en/
https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2022/september/brazil-s-momentum-as-a-global-agricultural-supplier-faces-headwinds/
https://www.oecd.org/agriculture/topics/agricultural-trade/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_processing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_and_Processed_Food_Products_Export_Development_Authority

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/processed-foods-what-you-should-know

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet