Researchers warn that the supermarkets and suppliers operate so efficiently that there are hardly any stocks set aside for emergencies. Shelves could run empty within two to three days if, for example, a cyberattack were to occur in the supermarkets’ logistics system. The food supply could also be disrupted in the event of severe weather. “At present, we assume that supermarkets can be restocked with food after a few days,” explains Pieter Zwaan, assistant professor in Public Administration, “but in the event of heavy rainfall, an area may be cut off for longer, meaning it could take longer.”
The report recommends that the government also reach agreements with supermarkets and suppliers to ensure they always maintain a minimum emergency stock in their existing warehouses.
Read the full NOS article here (in Dutch).
Photo: Duncan de Fey