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Survey Report

Global Food, Beverage and Agriculture Risk Report 2024

May 22, 2024

The industry must feed a growing world with less land and harsh weather, reducing environmental impact. Geopolitical tensions and inflation worsen challenges, impacting raw material prices. Our survey of 400 senior decision-makers explores risks, opportunities and risk management strategies.
Climate|Credit and Political Risk||Environmental Risks|Facultative|Marine|Property Risk and Insurance Solutions|Reputational Risk Management
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Overview

The food, beverage, and agriculture industry is confronted with a formidable task in the years ahead. It must nourish a growing global population amidst diminishing land resources and escalating weather extremes, all while mitigating the environmental footprint of food and beverage production.

Geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures only compound these challenges, highlighting the industry's susceptibility to fluctuations in raw material prices and availability.

Such instability threatens to disrupt the industry's resource-dependent supply chain, presenting a formidable array of obstacles even for a sector accustomed to overcoming adversity.

In our second Food, Beverage, and Agriculture global survey, we engaged 400 senior decision-makers to glean insights into their perceptions of this evolving landscape. What are their primary risks and opportunities? How do they confront climate-related challenges? What strategies do they employ for risk mitigation and future planning?

Our findings reveal that escalating external threats are heightening instability risks across companies, spanning political, climatic, cyber and workforce domains.”

Paul Ward | Head of Property and Casualty WTW

Our findings reveal that escalating external threats are heightening instability risks across companies, spanning political, climatic cyber and workforce domains.

Consequently, apprehensions about potential disruptions are on the rise, prompting a near-term emphasis on liquidity and business stability.

Nevertheless, the sector is demonstrating resilience in adapting to forthcoming challenges. A majority of businesses are embracing sustainability initiatives and integrating climate resilience and business continuity into their risk management frameworks.

About the survey

Our survey was carried out by our partner Coleman Parkes research in January 2024, using a mixture of phone interviews and web-based survey forms.

We received 400 responses from senior decision makers within food and beverage businesses based in Europe, the U.S. Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

Key findings

Disruption dominates concerns: The primary focus of the sector lies in mitigating disruptions, with business interruption and supply chain issues being the top internal risks, and global instability exacerbating concerns about potential disruptions.

Sustainability and health as growth drivers: Embracing sustainability, health and wellness presents significant opportunities, reflecting consumer priorities. Businesses foresee these areas as key for growth, with 53% seeing them as major opportunities over the next two years.

71% of businesses identify climate change as a top risk.

Climate change as a major environmental risk: Climate change emerges as the most significant environmental threat, with 71% of businesses identifying it as a top risk. The impact of climate-related weather events such as floods and droughts is increasingly felt across the sector.

Focus on business resilience increasing: There's a growing emphasis on building business resilience to disruptive forces, with 47% of food and beverage companies reviewing their business continuity plans every six months and 31% doing so quarterly.

This proactive approach reflects the recognition of the importance of preparedness in navigating uncertainties effectively.

48% say geopolitical tensions pose significant challenges to risk management strategies.

External factors complicating risk management: External economic factors, geopolitical tensions, and regulatory burdens pose significant challenges to risk management strategies.

Economic factors are cited by 52% of businesses, while 48% point to geopolitical tensions. These complexities underscore the need for robust risk mitigation plans amidst an uncertain global landscape.

How to use this report

How to utilize insights from this report for your food, beverage, and agriculture business:

  1. Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment: Begin by analyzing potential risks specific to your industry, including supply chain disruptions, technological advancements and regulatory shifts. This assessment forms the foundation for informed decision-making.
  2. Implement proactive risk mitigation strategies: Utilize the strategies outlined in the report to mitigate identified risks effectively. Enhance cybersecurity measures, bolster supply chain resilience, and ensure compliance with evolving industry regulations to safeguard your operations.
  1. Optimize insurance coverage: Review your current insurance policies to identify any gaps in coverage. Tailor your insurance portfolio to address potential challenges and uncertainties within the food, beverage and agriculture sector, providing comprehensive protection for your business.
  2. Monitor emerging trends: Stay abreast of emerging trends and developments within the industry. Continuously adapt your risk management strategies to align with evolving market dynamics, ensuring your business remains agile and responsive to change.
  3. Promote a culture of risk awareness: Share key insights from this report with relevant stakeholders to foster a culture of risk awareness and proactive management within your organization. Encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing to enhance resilience across all levels.
  4. Benchmark against industry standards: Compare your risk management practices against industry benchmarks and peer organizations. Identify areas for improvement and implement best practices to maintain competitiveness and operational excellence.

By leveraging the insights provided in this report, you can strengthen your organization's resilience, capitalize on growth opportunities and navigate the dynamic landscape of the food, beverage and agriculture industry with confidence and adaptability.

For specialist guidance in discovering smarter ways to manage your risks in the food, beverage and agriculture industry, reach out to us today.

For more information, please contact

Paul Ward
Head of Property and Casualty, Asia

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