Food for Thought: The Effect of Tariffs on the Global Food Supply Chain

DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITY REPORT

Activity Overview

On Monday, 29 September 2025, the Postgraduate (Co-Ed) Department of Food Technology and the Food Integrity & Quality Guild jointly hosted a crucial guest lecture on the intersection of economics and food systems.

The session, titled “Food for Thought: The Effect of Tariffs on the Global Food Supply Chain,” was delivered by Dr. Anna Rovina Ferrao, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Economics. The lecture was held in the PGCR4 Nirmalini A.C. Block from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Ms. Nezlyn D’Souza welcomed the gathering, followed by a prayer by Ms Sanika Naik and speaker introduction by Ms. Jelcy Souza (members of the Food IQ Guild).

Dr. Ferrao provided the attendees with an insightful economic analysis of how international trade policies, particularly the imposition of tariffs, impact the flow and accessibility of food worldwide. The discourse focused on the cascading effects of these trade barriers, detailing how they inevitably lead to increased operational costs, logistical delays, and shifts in global sourcing patterns. The lecture highlighted the critical influence of tariffs on food security and consumer pricing.

The lecture concluded with a productive question-and-answer segment, where attendees engaged Dr. Ferrao on contemporary trade issues and their specific impact on the Indian food market. The entire session was successfully coordinated by Ms. Nezlyn C. D’Souza.