In this report, we provide a summary of the challenges and some of the potential solutions associated with the need to make the global food supply system more sustainable. For a more detailed discussion of these challenges, we refer to the Credit Suisse Research Institute report on the Global Food System (see The global food system: Identifying sustainable solutions) that was published alongside this report. Our analysis focuses on the health issues that arise from eating too much, too little or the wrong food. In addition, we review the role that food production and consumption plays in the debate around climate change and what changes need to be made in order to address them. 

As part of our analysis, we estimate the cost of an unsustainable food system to the global economy and how big the environmental burden of the food system might become if no action is taken. We highlight a range of technological solutions that might help address some of these challenges. Ultimately we see a transition towards a more plant-based diet as paramount, suggesting strong structural growth potential for alternative food producers.

In this report we highlight 25 companies that we have selected with help from our analysts and that provide solutions that aim to improve the sustainability of the global food system. We invite investors to provide feedback or contact the analysts on the front page in case of questions or requests.