IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN IN LATVIA: EVIDENCE OF THE EGG PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING SECTOR

COVID-19 has imposed shocks on all segments of food supply chains, simultaneously affecting farm production, food processing, transport and logistics and final demand. It is therefore important to assess the risks, the probability of their occurrence and their impacts in order to develop risk mitigation recommendations. In Latvia, poultry farming as an agricultural industry has centuries-old traditions. Poultry in Latvia are produced both on large poultry farms and on small and backyard farms. There are 21 large and medium laying hen egg producers in Latvia;however, 96% of the total poultry are concentrated on four farms. There are six producers of processed eggs and egg products in Latvia. Therefore, the aim of the present research is to examine the egg production and processing sector and analyze the risks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in the sector and develop recommendations for their reduction in Latvia. The research identified 40 risks in the egg production and processing sector based on the methodology developed: 26 internal and 14 external risks, assessed the probability and impacts of their occurrence and, based on interviews with entrepreneurs involved in the sector, developed different level recommendations for stabilizing the situation in similar occasions as well as strengthen the resilience of the sector after the crisis. © 2021 International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights reserved.