Food Miles 2024: Where Are We Today?

In the context of global trade and increasing environmental concerns, the concept of food miles—the distance food travels from farm to table—remains a pressing issue. Despite years of discussion, food miles are still a major contributor to carbon emissions, but they are far from a problem we can easily resolve. In fact, they may be more relevant today than ever before.

Is It Still an Issue?

Yes, food miles are a significant contributor to global emissions, and recent studies highlight this fact. Research published in Nature Food estimated that in 2022, transporting food accounted for 6% of global carbon emissions, with fruit and vegetables being the biggest offenders. Despite this knowledge, reducing food miles has not been a central focus for most countries or consumers. Why? Because it’s almost impossible to live without imported fresh produce. We’ve come to expect year-round availability of items like bananas, avocados, and strawberries, which can’t be grown locally in many parts of the world. Consumers demand these products, and supermarkets must supply them.

For instance, a hypothetical scenario where supermarkets in the UK stop importing fruits like bananas or pineapples would not only cause customer dissatisfaction but would also disrupt the economic chain that supports thousands of workers, both locally and abroad.

Have We Closed the File on Food Miles?

While the conversation around food miles hasn’t been shelved, it has evolved. Many experts now acknowledge that a perfect solution is unlikely. A key debate revolves around whether government intervention—such as imposing heavy taxes on food imports—could reduce the environmental impact. However, the reality is that no country can function in isolation. The global economy is deeply interconnected, and it isn’t just food that crosses borders. Minerals, energy, and raw materials necessary for industries are often imported from afar. If governments were to heavily tax imported food, this would increase costs for consumers and lead to potential shortages of products that local agriculture cannot supply year-round.

The Reality of Global Trade

The modern world relies on an intricate network of global trade, and food is a significant part of that. Fresh produce from warmer climates often travels thousands of miles to reach the shelves of colder regions, and eliminating these imports would cause significant disruptions. As noted during a debate at the World Fruit and Vegetable Show in London 15 years ago, experts like Edward Palmer from Tesco’s buying department argued that supermarkets simply cannot meet consumer demand without importing 70% of the fruit sold in the UK.

Moreover, international trade supports economies in developing countries. For example, Kenya’s flower industry employs over 500,000 people, many of whom depend on exporting flowers—considered a fresh produce item—to Europe. Restricting imports could severely impact livelihoods in these regions, creating a ripple effect in global markets.

The Future: Is Regulation Possible?

Could we see a future where strict regulations or taxes are imposed to reduce food miles? While it’s theoretically possible, it’s highly improbable. Global trade is too vital to modern economies, and consumers are accustomed to a certain lifestyle that includes easy access to fresh, imported foods. Governments may push for more sustainable practices within the supply chain, such as energy-efficient transportation or reducing food waste, but eliminating imports is not realistic.

Conclusion

In conclusion, food miles remain a critical issue, but we are far from stopping the importation of food from distant countries. Consumers are not ready to give up the variety and convenience that come with global trade, and no country can realistically survive on local production alone—not now, and not in 100 years. As such, the focus should be on making the supply chain more sustainable, rather than attempting to halt international trade. Technological advancements in transport and production methods will play a key role in addressing the environmental impact without sacrificing consumer expectations or the global economy.