Pandemic (Covid-19) Induced Impacts on Dairy Industry

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 has adversely affected millions around the world. It significantly upset various industries, including dairy industry, across the globe and thereby, it badly affected global economy and food security. Objective: The paper specifically focuses on impacts of pandemic (COVID-19) on dairy industries. The objective of the study includes; a) to identify & collect articles on impact of COVID-19 on dairy industries, b) to review and comprehend the articles; country-wise & impact-wise and, c) to enumerate probable solutions, suggested in the articles, to overcome pandemic (COVID-19) induced impacts. Materials & Methods: The study is primarily based on systematic literature review. Using keywords; COVID-19, pandemic, milk & dairy products, milk processing industry, dairy industry, etc., articles were searched on search engines and specifically on Google Scholar. As a result, 34 articles discussing, directly or indirectly, on impact of COVID-19 on dairy industries located in 21 countries (Armenia, Bangladesh, Burkino Faso, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kosovo, Madagascar, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Slovenia, South Africa and USA) were identified. The period of study is limited between March, 2020 and April, 2022. Findings: The impact of pandemic (COVID-19) on dairy industries (in Armenia, Bangladesh, Burkino Faso, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kosovo, Madagascar, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Slovenia, South Africa and USA) were studied and analyzed in two folds; country-wise & impact-wise. The adverse impacts are classified under 11 categories namely; availability, consumer behavior, demand, health & safety, price, production facility, production, profit/revenue, trade/supply chain, wastage and workforce. The impacts were highly diverse (affected numerous variables such as availability, consumer behavior, demand, health & safety, price, production facility, production, profit/revenue, trade/supply chain, wastage and workforce) and diametrical (a few variables such as profit/revenue, milk yield, etc., varied diametrically opposite within same country) in nature. The probable solutions, suggested in the reviewed articles, to overcome the impacts were also enumerated. Conclusion: The COVID-19 adversely affected and brought significant shift in dairy industry. The study on dairy industries located in 21 countries (across 4 continents), country-wise & impact-wise, exposed diverse & diametrical nature of the impacts. The impacts are classified under 11 categories and probable solutions, suggested in reviewed articles, to overcome the impacts were enumerated.