Convenience retailers must be recognised as a key partner in government efforts to strengthen the resilience of the UK’s food supply chain, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has said in response to a new National Audit Office (NAO) report.
The watchdog’s report, Resilience of the food supply chain to disruptions, warns that risks facing the food supply chain are becoming more complex, more likely and potentially more severe, citing threats including extreme weather, cyber-attacks, energy disruptions and disease outbreaks.
Responding to the findings, ACS chief executive Ed Woodall, said:
“Convenience stores are often the first place people turn to during periods of disruption, ensuring that communities can continue to access food and essential products and services when they need it the most. Local shops have extensive experience in responding to challenges on the ground, and as the Government looks to strengthen food resilience, convenience retailers must be recognised as a key partner in planning and preparedness efforts.”
The NAO found that the food supply chain has remained largely resilient through recent shocks, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and cyber-attacks on major retailers, with businesses adapting quickly to maintain overall food availability. However, it said those disruptions had still led to significant impacts for consumers and businesses, including food price inflation, increased operating costs and disruption to day-to-day retail operations.
The report noted that food price inflation peaked at 19.2% in March 2023 and warned that the government is increasingly concerned about the impact of future disruptions on food security and affordability.
The NAO also highlighted concerns about the UK’s preparedness for a severe or catastrophic disruption to food supplies, finding that Defra has not yet set out in detail how it will achieve its objective of improving food supply chain resilience or measure progress against it.
Among its recommendations, the watchdog called on the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to strengthen engagement with food supply chain businesses, improve emergency planning and testing, and work more closely with local partners on preparedness for major disruptions.
The report concluded that while the private sector has so far managed most food supply disruptions successfully, rising risks mean it is timely for government to reassess whether its current approach to resilience and emergency preparedness remains sufficient.
