This report captures the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for agriculture and food consumption, production and trade in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. It was produced by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and Mouralea Consulting to provide technical assistance on COVID-19 recovery plans to ASEAN stakeholders including Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, Senior Officials, and their working groups.

To achieve this goal, the authors of this report conducted primary surveys with ASEAN focal representatives, health and nutritional modelling, rudimentary economic analysis, and secondary literature reviews related to the impacts and challenges posed by COVID-19 in the ASEAN agriculture and food sector. As such, an analytical and evidence-based approach was embraced to develop policy insights and recommendations suitable for the varied contexts, capacities, and agendas of the different member states and partners in ASEAN.

This report contains six chapters that touch upon the following topics:

• COVID-19 trajectory
• macro impact, demand and consumption
• supply and value chains
• trade challenges and opportunities
• gender impacts
• policy recommendations

The results presented in this study are intended to facilitate policy dialogues and enable evidence-based decision-making among ASEAN members and key stakeholders on the best course of action to alleviate the burden of COVID-19. Our report contains a wide-ranging review, analysis and discussion of a number of issues arising as a result of the unfolding pandemic.

The report also provides some links and references to relevant state-of-the-art scientific and socio-scientific work undertaken elsewhere. We are hopeful that the report proves useful to ASEAN leaders and senior officials in addressing the pressing challenges they now face.

Watch the accompanying video, COVID-19 Pandemic Implications on Agriculture & Food Consumption, Production & Trade in ASEAN.