It is generally acknowledged that food systems are neither sustainable nor resilient and a major transformation of food value chains (FVC) and the global food system is needed. The overall objective of the VALUMICS project is to provide decision makers with a comprehensive suite of approaches and tools that will enable them to evaluate the impact of strategic and operational policies, aimed at enhancing the resilience, integrity, and sustainability of FVCs for European countries. Given the complexity and diversity of FVCs, and the contexts within which they operate, the VALUMICS project offers multi-dimensional approaches including insights to policies, governance, environmental hot spots, economics, consumer behaviour, and simulation modelling to assess future scenarios and transition pathways. The outcome provides synthesis into policy options, adding new perspectives for policy makers, both in government and within the food industry sector.
VALUMICS goes beyond previous research limitations through a cross-functional project design that provides a bridging analysis across the economic, environmental, and social dimensions. The FVC analysis through case studies delivers comparative assessments at the European level and beyond. The case studies served as enablers of the research and development work, and the outcome provides an evidence base on the functioning of FVCs. The following sectoral case studies (and countries) were selected: Wheat to bread (CZ, DE, F, UK), Beef cattle to steak, (UK, DE), Dairy cows to milk (IE, UK, FR, DE and VN), Salmon to fillets (NO to EU) and Tomatoes to processed tomatoes (IT).