New Study Finds 30% of Food and Beverage Executives Expect Another Global Pandemic in the Next Four Years
AIB International Study Reveals Industry Sentiment on COVID-19 Impacts and Outlook on Future Pandemic Preparedness
Contact: Mark Crouser, [email protected], (816) 582-8839
(Download release: AIB International Unveils Pandemic Impacts Research Study FINAL)
Manhattan, Kan. (May 4, 2021) COVID-19 has given food and beverage companies worldwide a crash course in operating during a pandemic. However, for most of them, their education and preparation doesn’t stop there. According to a new study by AIB International, 78 percent of food and beverage executives say they are actively preparing for a future global pandemic, with 30 percent expecting another one within the next four years and 50 percent expecting one within the next decade.
AIB International, a leading provider of training, inspections and consulting, regulatory assistance and certification services for the global food and beverage supply chain, commissioned the study to better understand the impact of the pandemic on the food and beverage manufacturing sector and assess preparedness for future pandemics. Research Strategy Group surveyed 325 senior-level North American executives at leading food and beverage manufacturing companies, retailers, distributors, and other supply chain partners.
“Even after the past year of disruption, almost half of respondents indicated they are still not adequately prepared with a plan for the future. Combined with the fact that 30 percent believe another global pandemic will occur in next four years – and a full 50 percent say within the next 10 years – that lack of preparedness is startling,” said Anne Coulter, Managing Director, Research Strategy Group. “Further, 62 percent of respondents experienced an increase in operating costs due to the pandemic, while the average increase among these companies was 20 percent.”
“This research highlights the dramatic impacts felt by so many companies in the industry due to a lack of preparedness. Despite the understandable ‘crisis fatigue’ from grappling with COVID-19 over the past year, it’s clear that now is time to prepare for the future and elevate critical planning to a best-in-class standard,” said Steve Robert, Global Vice-President, Product Innovation, AIB International. “Should a future pandemic occur, improved preparedness will help offset some of the costs and disruption that so many operations have realized over the past year.”
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, AIB International launched Pandemic Prepared Certification to provide companies with best-in-class planning and protocols for supporting food safety, employee health and business continuity. The certification outlines clear, actionable, and rigorous standards developed with input from academia, government, and industry. It addresses five key areas:
pandemic crisis management, health crisis mitigation and management, food safety continuity, supply chain disruption, and intermittent operations.
Other key findings from the study include:
State of Preparedness
Impacts of the Pandemic
Preparations for the Future
# # #
About Research Strategy Group
Research Strategy Group is a leading international market research and insights consultancy with offices in North America and the United Kingdom, offering consulting services to major global corporations, governments, and industry advocates. Visit www.rsginc.net for more information.
About AIB International
For more than 100 years, AIB International has partnered with our clients to bring the enjoyment of safe, high-quality food to consumers everywhere. Through customized Training, Inspections & Consulting, Regulatory assistance and Certification services, our global team of food safety and quality professionals has grown to service more than 120 countries and is committed to helping food and beverage supply chain companies to apply the highest standards of integrity. Visit www.aibinternational.com for more information.
Food safety should be a priority for your business. Our team will partner with you to make it happen. Let’s talk about how to begin.