Key takeaways
- The survey captures how 450 senior decision-makers worldwide are responding to an increasingly volatile food, beverage and agriculture risk environment.
- Risk management confidence has declined: 62% of organisations feel in control of key risks, compared with 75% in 2024.
- Health and supply chain concerns are rising, while 84% still prioritise environmental, social and governance risks across their organisations.
- Formal continuity plans cover 83% of organisations, while value-for-money products offer growth amid renewed cost-of-living pressures affecting consumers.
Instability is stretching resilience to the limit
From the impact of conflicts and tariffs to increasing cyber and climate challenges, and a surge in litigation around ultra-processed foods, the early warning lights of systemic risk events affecting food, beverage and agriculture have been flashing in 2026.
In our third food, beverage and agriculture survey, we asked businesses how they are responding to the increasing threat landscape. We found that the current level of volatility is proving hard to process, even for a sector with resilience in its DNA.
Navigating volatility: top risks, industry insights and resilience trends for 2026.
Business leaders appear to have lost confidence in their ability to control their risks since our last survey in 2024. Many feel they lack the tools and board level support they need to address them.
Yet the industry remains optimistic, with a positive view of near-term profitability and a determination to turn cost-of-living adversity into an opportunity by focusing on value for money products.
About the survey
Conducted with research partner Coleman Parkes Research, February to March 2026, using phone interviews and web‑based surveys.
- Who: 450 senior decision makers of risk management in leading food and beverage companies, globally, including CEOs, CFOs and heads of Risk, HR, Marketing, and Corporate Communications.
- Where: North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
- Sectors: Including food growing, production, processing and manufacturing, dairy, brewing, distillery, soft drinks, restaurant and food service.
- Size: Average annual revenue $4 billion.
Key findings
- Health concerns are rising: 45% cited food safety and health as a top risk, up from 29% in 2024, driven by growing scrutiny of ultra-processed foods and related litigation.
- Value remains a priority: 52% identified value-for-money products as a key opportunity as consumers face renewed cost-of-living pressures.
- Supply chain risks are increasing: 44% are concerned about supply chain vulnerabilities, up from 40% in 2024, amid conflict, geopolitical instability and trade tensions.
- Risk management confidence has declined: 62% feel in control of their key risks, down from 75% in 2024 and 89% in 2022.
- ESG remains high on the agenda: 84% say managing ESG risks will be a priority over the next two years despite policy rollbacks in some markets.
- Business continuity is improving: 83% have formal business continuity plans in place, up from 78%, reflecting greater focus on resilience and preparedness.
What You'll learn from this report
- Discover what food, beverage and agriculture businesses across the world see as their key opportunities and objectives in the coming years.
- Find out what industry peers have identified as the key risks facing the sector.
- Gain a better understanding of the evolving risk landscape and explore risk-specific insights on how to approach a widening range of threats.
- Look beneath the surface of risk management to see why many organizations feel less in control of risk and what they view as the barriers to effective mitigation.
- Learn why sustainability still matters, how it is influencing long-term strategies, and steps you can take to help your business adapt in a changing climate.
Why download this report?
Whether you're responsible for risk management, operations, supply chain, sustainability or corporate strategy, this report will enable you to benchmark against industry peers and gain practical insight into:
- Emerging industry risks
- Trends in risk management
- Preparing for future disruption
- Building operational resilience
- Managing climate and ESG exposures
Complete the short form at the top of the page to access the 2026 Global Food, Beverage & Agriculture Risk Report.
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