Changes in food demandGrowing 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 ChoiBlueberries

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 export Distance Product

Mexico 8,800 km Red Spring Onions

Peru 10,000 km Asparagus

Chile 11,500 km Cherries, blueberries

Morocco 2,000 km Sweetcorn

South Africa 8,900 km Grapes

Kenya 6,700 km Baby leeks, mange touts

Tanzania 7,300 km Pak choi, fine beans

China 8,200 km Ginger

Israel 3,500 km Radishes

Spain 1,300 km Raspberries, strawberries

Holland 300 km Carrots, 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.

• 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

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.