A recent cold snap in the Ticino region on the border of Switzerland and Italy has resulted in a poor spaghetti crop for farmers overlooking Lake Lugarno. The threat of late frost, which impacts the flavor of the crop and affects prices on the global market, has been worrisome for spaghetti farmers in the last few weeks of March. The increase of the Spaghetti weevil, a tiny creature that has previously decimated crops, has also been a contributing factor to the failed crop. While spaghetti cultivation in Switzerland is not as vast as in Italy’s Po Valley, the impact of a failed crop can still significantly affect global market prices based on supply and demand.
This story is a stark reminder of the potential impacts of climate change on the agricultural industry and the global supply chain. While it may have originated as an April Fool’s Day joke in 1957, the reality of climate change cannot be ignored. Alarming climate change examples from 2023, such as a bomb cyclone causing flooding in California, India banning the export of non-basmati white rice due to El Nino disruptions, and a shortage of Sriracha hot sauce from poor jalapeno crops, highlight the far-reaching consequences of climate change on food production and supply chains worldwide. Additionally, issues like low water levels in the Panama Canal and sugar shortages due to droughts and floods demonstrate the interconnected nature of global supply chains and the risks posed by climate change.
It is crucial for companies to prioritize sustainability in their business strategies in order to address the challenges posed by climate change. By examining their supply chains and identifying areas for improvement, businesses can work towards reducing waste and carbon emissions. Setting measurable goals, such as eliminating single-use plastics or becoming carbon neutral by a certain year, can help build confidence among customers, investors, and stakeholders that the organization is committed to sustainability. Supply chain leaders must also ensure they are managing climate-related emissions across all parts of the supply chain, including suppliers, contract manufacturers, and logistics service providers, in order to reduce their overall carbon footprint.
Achieving a more sustainable supply chain requires visibility and technology to monitor and reduce carbon emissions. Business leaders must have a clear view of their entire supply chain in order to take effective actions to lower their company’s end-to-end carbon footprint. By utilizing technology and solutions to provide this visibility, companies can work towards creating a more resilient and sustainable supply chain. To learn more about preparing your business for a sustainable future, it is recommended to download the recent Oxford Economics Research report on building a risk-resilient supply chain. By taking proactive steps to address climate change and sustainability within their operations, businesses can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient global supply chain for the future.
