Food for Thought in Challenging Times

Evaluation of the Agribusiness Strategy 2019–23 and early results of its implementation

One cannot live without food. The agribusiness sector is and will always be of strategic importance. In EBRD’s countries of operations (COOs), the Russian invasion of Ukraine has elevated agribusiness to the very top of the agenda not least because both countries are historically the top global agri-product exporters. The war has profoundly disrupted international agriproduct supply chains, sharply increasing global food insecurity while also fuelling inflation, an energy crisis, and financial instability, all of which have had an acute detrimental impact on farmers and food processors. These new challenges add to those the agribusiness sector has been facing for some time, including resource scarcity, environmental degradation, climate change, pressure to increase yields while decreasing energy and water usage, and the growing demand for protein and nutritious food to feed growing populations.

The EBRD has been supporting the agribusiness sector for the last 30 years. This interim evaluation of the implementation of the Agribusiness Strategy BDS18-166F (the Strategy) aims to evaluate the adequacy of the Strategy itself and to take stock of the Bank’s operations conducted during the Strategy’s first three years (2019–21, the Evaluation Period), providing insights and lessons ahead of its update