Photo Credit: United Soybean Board

WISHH is working to help soy supply chain and other strategic partners adapt to obstacles presented by COVID-19 to ensure food and feed operations remain resilient.

Many of WISHH’s strategic partners are recognized as essential operations by their governments in developing and emerging economies in Africa, Asia and Central America where COVID-19 is creating unprecedented challenges to food security.

WISHH’s strategic partners are established community leaders too. One African government requested the owner of a soyfoods manufacturing company that works with WISHH serve as a featured speaker in their public service broadcasts to provide recommendations on how people can reduce their risks of catching COVID-19. The company has employees who are staying at the food factory to keep processing and packaging soyfoods as well as deliver them by motor bike. Meanwhile, WISHH supply chain partners in Central America are running their lines at full capacity, and at the same time, implementing new food safety, worker health and other requirements.

WISHH is supporting these important partners by sharing scientific and technical resources. Staff are providing one-on-one consultations as well.

According to a new World Bank report, the COVID-19 crisis has the potential to spark a food security crisis in Africa, with agricultural production potentially contracting between 2.6% in an optimistic scenario, and up to 7% if there are trade blockages.

Trade is critical to keeping downstream markets functioning, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that released a “battle plan” for ensuring global food supplies during the COVID-19 crisis.

FAO’s chief economist stressed that one of every five calories people eat have crossed at least one international border, up more than 50% from 40 years ago.

Low and middle-income countries account for around a third of the world's food trade, which provides very significant contributions both to incomes and welfare.

WISHH also looks forward to continuing to work with U.S. soybean farmers and U.S. soybean exporting companies to ensure that U.S. soy, a vital component of food and animal feed around the world, continues to be available so to reach global customers.