New IPES-Food Report Examines How Geopolitical Tensions Are Reshaping Global Food Systems

A new report by IPES-Food argues that growing geopolitical instability, climate shocks, and market concentration are exposing the fragility of today’s global food systems and highlights the importance of stronger local production, public governance, and cooperative models.

The report, “The New Geopolitics of Food: navigating policies for resilient self-reliance”, warns that food is increasingly becoming a geopolitical issue shaped by trade tensions, conflicts, and dependence on global supply chains.

According to the authors, decades of market liberalisation and globalisation have increased efficiency, but also created vulnerabilities. Many countries have become excessively dependent on imported food, fertilisers, feed, and energy, leaving them exposed to price volatility and supply disruptions. At the same time, market concentration among a small number of multinational agri-food companies has increased corporate power across global food chains.

Building “resilient self-reliance”

A central concept in the report is “resilient self-reliance”, the capacity of countries and regions to maintain reliable food systems while reducing excessive dependence on volatile global markets.

The report calls for policies that:

strengthen local and regional food production;
diversify supply chains and trade partnerships;
rebuild public food reserves and strategic capacities;
support territorial food systems and cooperatives;
increase resilience against geopolitical and climate-related shocks.

The publication also advocates for a stronger role of public policy in food systems governance, including market management tools, public procurement, and support for local value chains.

The Norwegian example

Among the case studies presented, the report highlights Norway as an example of how public governance and cooperative structures can contribute to food system resilience.

According to IPES-Food, Norway has maintained:

strong agricultural cooperatives;
public support mechanisms for farmers;
policies aimed at preserving domestic food production;
territorial approaches to agriculture adapted to different regions of the country.

The report notes that Norwegian policies prioritise food security, rural development, and long-term resilience over short-term market efficiency alone.

For the cooperative movement, the case study is particularly relevant as it demonstrates the role cooperatives can play in stabilising food chains, supporting farmers, and maintaining production capacities across territories.

Relevance for consumer cooperatives

The report’s findings resonate with ongoing discussions across Europe on food security, strategic autonomy, sustainability, and fairer food systems.

For consumer cooperatives, many of the recommendations align with the cooperative principles, including:

strengthening local supply chains;
supporting sustainable production;
promoting democratic governance in food systems;
ensuring affordability and access to food;
building resilience through cooperation and long-term investment.

As geopolitical uncertainty and climate pressures continue to affect food systems globally, the report argues that resilience, diversity, and cooperation will become increasingly important pillars of future food policies.

You can read the full report here: “The New Geopolitics of Food”