What will Asian food systems look like in 2030? There is no simple answer to this question, because Asia encompasses a complex mix of countries, divided by borders, policies, cultures, uneven development and other socioeconomic differences. There is no single “Asian” food system, and Asia cannot be analysed as a single entity. 

Experts recognise that existing food systems will not remain stagnant as Asia urbanises and grows ever more populous. However, discussions around diet, food supply and food security often focus on Asia as a whole, rather than focusing on its different sub-regions and countries. This broad approach masks complex and often divergent policy and societal concerns, and it also risks strategic misalignment when preparing for the future. In light of this, how are companies and policymakers strategising for the future? How prepared are they to identify where divergence will remain, and where cities and countries will converge into similar food landscapes?

Download article Fixing Asia's food system to learn more>

Download report Separate tables: Bringing together Asia's food systems

Water scarcity is a growing concern. Global water withdrawal has increased 1.7 times faster than population growth over the last century, with 64% of global water withdrawal occurring on the Asian continent. Urbanisation has also led to more spatially concentrated demand for water, and there are concerns about the over-exploitation of water sources, as well as the impacts of climate change (particularly the effects of rising sea levels and saline intrusion on agriculture). Against this backdrop, political tensions over increasingly scarce water resources are already becoming more apparent.

As Asia develops, rising demand for food and energy will also affect water resources. This will add further complexities to the challenge of managing water, requiring a greater understanding of the water needs associated with food and energy, and how current water issues (such as pollution, poor quality data and over-extraction) will affect the food systems of the future.

Which trends are driving increased demand, supply and tension over water? What are the challenges and opportunities for policymakers and the private sector in managing these trends? This report aims to help policymakers and companies as they grapple with these challenges by analysing water resources and water scarcity in Asia, and by exploring how water supply and demand will interact with agriculture in the future

Download report Liquidity Premium: Managing Asia's scarce water resources  for more details>

For insights to the research conducted by The EIU which surveyed 420 executives of food producers and agriculture companies in the Asian region, download article here >

As Asia’s food producers aim to meet the demands of a growing population, they are also fighting against the “four horsemen” of climate change: increasing temperatures, decreasing rainfall, extreme adverse weather events and the environmental consequences of decades of intensive land use.

While these challenges pose a serious threat to the region’s food supply, they also create opportunities for innovation—from gene editing and laboratory-grown meat to crop surveillance by drones and satellites. Food companies, scientists and farmers in Asia are adopting agricultural innovation to support their markets.

How regional players are innovating to overcome Asia’s challenges holds lessons for global audiences. To examine their views and approaches, the EIU surveyed agriculture and food executives in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Download article Food 4.0: Leveraging food innovation in Asia to learn more>

In order to understand the systemic concerns regarding Asian food system, we explore on 2 key questions in the Food 4.0: The future of food innovation in Asia report: 

Download report Food 4.0: The future of food innovation in Asia  for more details>