Changes in food demand Growing demand for high-value and seasonal products

Starter: Key words Commercial farming Subsistence farming Food miles Over-cultivation Soil productivity is reduced to the point where once productive land is turned into wasteland. Crops are grown to sell and make a profit. They may be distributed locally, nationally and/or globally. This is self-sufficient farming, where farmers grow enough to feed their families. Crops are not grown to make a profit. The excessive use of farm land, resulting in the soils nutrients being used up and the land becoming infertile. Land degradation Marginal land Carbon footprint The total amount of greenhouse emissions resulting from the activity of a person or persons. The distance food is transported from the time of its production until it reaches the consumer. Land that is only just good enough to be worth farming. It may be dry, wet, cool, stony or steep.

To find out the impacts of the growing demand from for high-value food exports from poorer countries and our all-year demand for seasonal food. Learning objectives

Changes in demand In the last decade there has been a major growth of imports of high-value agricultural products to richer countries from the developing world. Can you think of any examples? Asparagus Red spring onions Mange tout Pak Choi Blueberries

Changes in demand Seasonal goods are now available all year round thanks to sources in tropical countries. However, in order to maintain contracts, these products are still imported when they are in season in the UK. In the UK this has been driven by the major supermarkets. They bring produce thousands of miles onto their shelves. E.g. Peruvian asparagus travels 10,000 km to get to the UK!

Activity: Food miles The table below shows agricultural exports to a UK supermarket. Country of exportDistanceProduct Mexico8,800 kmRed Spring Onions Peru10,000 kmAsparagus Chile11,500 kmCherries, blueberries Morocco2,000 kmSweetcorn South Africa8,900 kmGrapes Kenya6,700 kmBaby leeks, mange touts Tanzania7,300 kmPak choi, fine beans China8,200 kmGinger Israel3,500 kmRadishes Spain1,300 kmRaspberries, strawberries Holland300 kmCarrots, peppers, flowers Describe the information, remember to use figures!

Activity: How reliant is the UK on imported foods? Study the article that you have been given. Summarise the argument FOR food imports to the UK. You may wish to use detailed bullet points. Study the article that you have been given. Summarise the argument FOR food imports to the UK. You may wish to use detailed bullet points. Experts claim it would be difficult for us to become self-sufficient. We have always imported food, since Roman times. Our climate isn’t suited to growing certain foods that we demand – out of season, exotic, tea, rice, coffee. Farming certain products is unlikely to be successful and are often cheaper to source from overseas. We would have to use environmentally degrading practices to meet demand if we don’t import – intensive farming and increased pesticides. It would also involve more GM food and would require a change in consumer understanding – we are fussy eaters though!

These commercial crops compete for land and water that subsistence farmers could use. Areas of important and valuable land such as rainforests have been cleared for this farming. Food production for the domestic market may drop. The use of chemicals and pesticides to gain the perfect product may damage the local environment. Regulations and restrictions in handling chemicals may be less strict, resulting in local people harming themselves. The transport of these products over large distances (food miles) contributes to carbon dioxide emissions and climate change. Local workers are exploited – paid low wages and have to work long hours. The financial benefits for poorer countries has been huge; however, there are concerns with this increase in exports from these developing countries. The impacts of our increasing demand

Read the bullet points on pg. 228 and figure 6.16 on the hand out. Your task is to write a letter to the produce department Senior Buyer at Morrisons, Mr Andrew Garton, outlining the negative impacts of the supermarket sourcing its fruit and vegetables from poorer countries. The aim of your letter is to bring his attention to the issues and to suggest ways in which Morrisons may help improve them. Read the bullet points on pg. 228 and figure 6.16 on the hand out. Your task is to write a letter to the produce department Senior Buyer at Morrisons, Mr Andrew Garton, outlining the negative impacts of the supermarket sourcing its fruit and vegetables from poorer countries. The aim of your letter is to bring his attention to the issues and to suggest ways in which Morrisons may help improve them.