Analysing the potential of agri-food value chains to deliver nutrition impacts 

Value chains (VC) offer critical entry points in the transformation of food systems to improve the supply, demand, and nutritional value of foods. However, traditional VC analyses often neglect to consider nutrition in their objectives.
The main objective of this study is to understand the level of contribution of a range of agricultural VCs in achieving nutrition impact.
To do so, it analysed 44 VC reports from EU/Agrinatura’s Value Chain for Development (VCA4D) project.
The findings emphasise the role of sustainable practices, women’s empowerment, and local markets in supporting nutrition but also highlight the lack of data regarding nutrition sensitivity.

The Nutrition Research Facility (NRF) conducted a series of consultations with decision-makers in EU Member States, EU partner countries, within Delegations of the EU in partner countries and within the European Commission, in order to identify their current concerns in relation to nutrition issues in development contexts. This question arose from Belgium and France.

The methods were fourfold and included a pilot study, a literature review and both a quantitative analysis and a qualitative narrative synthesis of the 44 reports carried out by VCA4D across 28 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The nutrition-related contributions of the reports were evaluated through three pathway components - supply chains, food environment, and consumer behaviour - and two mediating factors: women’s empowerment and social capital.

This study underscores the complex relationship between agriculture and nutrition within agri-food VCs. While VCs support vulnerable communities by improving income and food security, this does not automatically lead to improved nutrition outcomes.
The study emphasises the importance of sustainable agroecological practices, women’s empowerment, and local food production.
It also concludes that small-scale producers continue to face significant challenges, including economic barriers, inadequate infrastructure, and climate vulnerabilities, which hinder their productivity and sustainability.

To enhance the nutrition-sensitivity of value chains, interventions should adopt a comprehensive food systems approach that integrates nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive strategies tailored to local contexts.
Women’s empowerment and small-scale producers must be prioritised by improving access to resources.
Public-private collaboration should also ensure better access to affordable, nutritious foods.

While agri-food value chains have great potential to enhance nutrition, their impact on nutritional outcomes is not always captured. The lack of nutrition data in traditional value chain analyses points to an important area for improvement in research and policy. A nutrition-sensitive design is critical to improve nutrition through agriculture and food systems. Developing integrated evidence through a ’Value Chain for Nutrition’ approach is essential to enhance nutrition outcomes.

Developing value chains is a key element in the transition to resilience, competitivity and economic integration. Nutrition-sensitive agri-food value chains have the potential to a) increase intraregional trade, reduce imports, diversify economies and create jobs, and b) make nutritious and diversified food available, accessible, affordable and desirable to people.

Main contact: Bridget Fenn

Organisation: Natural Resources Institute (NRI) - University of Greenwich

Email address: fennysnake@gmail.com