Towards a sustainable Mediterranean agri-food industry

In the Mediterranean, the agri-food sector has shown strong resilience in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, both in production and distribution. However, the pandemic episode highlighted the crucial importance of food sovereignty for this region that is experiencing, on the one hand, population growth and, on the other, the impact of climate change.

COVID-19 has raised awareness of the importance of the food industry and its safety and sustainability among producers, businesses, governments and consumers. Agricultural production is one of the pillars of the economy, accounting for 3% of world GDP and almost 30% of global employment.

However, agricultural markets are unstable and react to speculative forecasts by traders by experiencing price variations, as happened in 1974, 1986, 1996 or 2008. Sharp price increases trigger riots and revolts among consumers, as well as high income instability for producers: agri-food SMEs and farms.

Moreover, due to the globalisation of markets, agri-food chains have become fragmented, making them more vulnerable to economic and health crises. These crises, in addition to the degradation of natural resources (land, water, biodiversity) and climate change, directly challenge the agro-industrial food system.

Water for a sustainable Mediterranean agri-food industry

The effects of climate change in the Mediterranean region are above the global average. This will have consequences for human well-being in general and for the agricultural sector in particular.

Climate change and water scarcity in the Mediterranean will increase the impact of different conflicts and challenges. Most countries have started to suffer the consequences of pollution and its effects on people and life. There is a growing awareness that the situation affects everyone, regardless of nationality, religion or political views. Therefore, the situation calls for mobilising and building a sustainable environment at regional level. 

Water is a vital element in the Mediterranean due to cultural, economic and social issues. The history of the region has always been linked to climate and diet. It should not be forgotten that the products of the earth depend on the sky, and it is precisely the great scarcity suffered throughout history that has led water to be so highly valued, as without it survival, development or migration would not have been possible.

Water demand is expected to increase by 4-22% to meet the needs of agriculture and to compensate for population growth.

It is imperative to formulate a new regional consensus. Steps must be taken towards the future and the creation of an efficient and climate-resilient agricultural industry. For without a focus on breaking wasteful trends, without greater cooperation and without renewable alternatives, the countries of the region will not achieve sustainability and water stress will inevitably increase.

This is the first step towards a future that must increase cooperation between the shores of the Mediterranean, and which requires measures to manage uses as well as to protect the ecosystem.

It is time for efficient approaches. Heritage food diets, such as the Mediterranean Diet, must be the basis for building regional food systems based on proximity, solidarity and autonomy, and therefore more resilient to economic, social, health or climate crises.

By mobilising agroecology, circular bioeconomy and participatory governance, these systems have the capacity to ensure sustainable local development by recovering the domestic market for local products. All of this makes it possible to contribute to reducing territorial fractures by revitalising rural areas and also to export to a more aware international market.

The agricultural industry has gone through a phase of innovation in recent decades. Now, food security, new trends and sustainability mean more opportunities for agri-food SMEs, so necessary to support global food security.

Digitising the sector in order to increase agricultural production and cope with climate risks has proven its relevance, promoting the value chain in terms of productivity, traceability, quality, market access or health control. 

Despite global agribusiness start-ups investing almost $20 billion in digital technology in the Mediterranean in 2019, companies are struggling to perform well. They are determined to take up the challenge of digitisation to achieve a modern, competitive, global and sustainable agriculture with the necessary resources, thus trying to become a major hub for the digitisation of agriculture, given the efficient communication infrastructure and access to information available to them. The digital transformation of agriculture increases the attractiveness of the sector and offers employment opportunities for young people in a more technology-dependent labour market.

However, there are options. Strategies for a sustainable food industry can be implemented by helping farmers and small producers. Barriers need to be removed. For example, invest in renewable energy such as wind, solar or hydroelectric power through public-private partnerships to increase electricity supply and facilitate local food production and processing.

Infrastructure, roads and highways can be improved to connect rural and agricultural production areas to markets, and direct subsidies can be provided to rural producers, who can prevent hunger, extreme poverty and out-migration. Attracting international investment into the regional agri-food sector can significantly and sustainably increase the volume of regional and international products. This will also promote equitable employment among men, women and youth.

A new vision is urgently needed for a Mediterranean food and agriculture sector partnership based on co-development networks to help overcome current and future crises.

Europe has a cooperative and private agri-food sector eager to develop in the Mediterranean and, via the southern shore, to reach the African continent. European companies also have financial muscle, the means to offer companies in the region, and know-how beyond the status of mere supplier. The southern and eastern Mediterranean, as well as eastern and southern Africa, offer significant expansion opportunities for European companies. Moreover, the African Continental Free Trade Area, which entered into force on 1 January, will soon connect 1.3 billion people, creating a $3.4 trillion economic bloc. The potential of the Mediterranean region is considerable in that encouraging financial indicators can be combined with real sustainable development goals.
 
The destiny of Europe and Africa is linked, and the Mediterranean is the natural space of this axis. This is why we must join forces, defend converging interests and work towards better cooperation. Fears must be overcome and the future of the coming generations must be mapped out.