How coronavirus has affected the world's farmers

"COVID-19 has taught the world that we can live without most things we never thought we could miss in our lives but we can't go without food," Mr de Jager said.

"There is a new appreciation of farmers in society, nationally and globally. Farmers want to position themselves for the new normal and are asking questions: What should I do on my farm so I can ensure I still have a place in the economy?"

More than 50 agri-specialists from across the world attended the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists e-congress seminar hosted by Mr de Jager from WFO, which is a member-based association, bringing together national farmers' organisations and agricultural cooperatives.

The congress is being held online after it was cancelled due to coronavirus.

Related reading: How COVID-19 has impacted our farming peers overseas

During the e-congree some of the delegates spoke or posted comments in the zoom meeting about the situation in their own country including Steve Werblow from the US, who said there had been some brilliant marketing by farmers including deliveries to virtual wine tastings by vineyards.

"I think there are a lot of stories to be delivered about resilience, as well as renewed interest in local food supplies," Mr Werblow said.

Chris McCullough from Northern Ireland said never before had there been a greater opportunity for agri media to play such a crucial role in boosting the industry as "we emerge out this COVID-19 era".

"As food producers, farmers need the media to connect them closer to consumers to keep them posted about food supplies," Mr McCullough said.

For Ismail Uural from Turkey there has not been many "serious problems" affecting agriculture, with crop and livestock production continuing to increase.

"We had some difficulties regarding migratory workers recently because of limitations in travelling. On the other hand the positive side of the pandemic is the increasing awareness to agri-food industry caused by this global catastrophe," Mr Uural said.

In Ireland, Damien O'Reilly said primary agriculture had not been too badly affected, apart from the disruption to mart sales.

However, he said the bigger problems had been faced further up the food chain particularly among the artisan food producers like cheese-makers who supplied the food service sector.

"They have had to innovate and for some it has worked especially with online sale and collaboration with other small producers to put together food boxes," Mr O'Reilly said.

German agriculture journalist Christian Muhlhausen said coronavirus had seen a shortage of workers in the farming sector, who usually came from eastern European countries like Bulgaria and Poland to harvest special crops like asparagus and strawberries.

"Because of special regulations it was at first almost impossible for them at the beginning of the season in April to get to Germany," Mr Muhlhausen said.

"Then the government allowed the first 40,000 (now 80,000) to come in by plane to work here under special controlled conditions. But obviously it's not enough to get all the work done as 200,000 workers are needed to get the work done."

He said the shutdown of all tourist places and restaurants (except food delivery services) led to weak markets especially for milk products, potatoes, beef and now pork because of the shortage in slaughtering capacity.

In the potato sector, he said the situation was dramatic as there was an estimated over production of two million tonnes of French fried potatoes in northwest Europe because of restaurant closures.

"Restaurants can open again in Germany but with a lower number of guests, it seems that not many guests are coming as long as corona is around and still in their heads," he said.

"On top of this for the farmers is the confusing and nervous international markets for grain, corn, soy, sugar, with ups and downs every few days."

On the other hand he said there was strong demand to buy local produce from farmer's markets with many suppliers of farm fresh free range eggs sold out.

In Austria, agriculture consultant Markus Habisch said in the beef cattle sector there were problems after Italy, one of their main trading markets, broke away almost completely leaving no market for feeder cattle.

"The government now gives them a support per head now for the additional feeding costs, but they always have to be careful they don't get into trouble with existing EU-Common agricultural policy financing rules," he said.

He said the wood industry was also affected by Italy's lock-down as it was a key export market for Austria.

Mr Habisch said some of the measures the Austrian Government had taken to help the agriculture sector through the pandemic included the extension of social insurance contributions and tax payments and a hardship fund for the entrepreneurs, which was also opened for farmers.

"As Austria is very export driven in many sectors, we rely on stable markets across the world," he said.

"The chamber and the federal ministry for agriculture founded an online platform where farmers and food processors can register their demand and people who don't have work could register as persons who want to fit the demand.

"The Austrian Government is also calling on consumers to buy local to support our farmers."