A vital, yet overlooked, component of efficient food systems
Food systems have been identified as essential to mitigate and adapt to climate change, but often the focus is on farm-level solutions and consumption. The “hidden middle” - steps such as processing, storage, transportation and distribution - are often overlooked. Yet it is a vital, if under-recognised, driver of transformation in global food systems, generating up to 40% of its economic value and 22% of its GHG emissions.
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The ‘hidden middle’ offers high return on investment
Ignoring the “hidden middle” is no longer an option. Targeted investment and smart policy interventions at the middle of the value chain can unlock a ripple effect of positive economic outcomes – extending well beyond nature restoration and emissions reduction to build sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems for the future.
Investing in this “hidden middle” results in job creation and economic growth by supporting SMEs, improving farmer livelihoods by giving them access to profitable markets, and securing market stability for farmers and consumers. More efficient food systems will also mitigate climate and nature impacts, enhance food security and nutrition, and reduce food loss and waste.
Tetra Pak has four policy asks so that the full power of the “hidden middle” can be unlocked:
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Redirect climate finance to build more resilient food systems |
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Ensure no trade-offs on food security in policy and investment decisions |
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Recognise and invest in fit-for-purpose packaging as a strategic component of the “hidden middle” |  |
Accelerate adoption of climate-resilient food processing technologies to drive innovation and investment |
Professor Thomas Reardon on the “hidden middle” as the key to global food security
Thomas Reardon is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University and Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow at International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). His work focuses on the rapid transformation of agrifood value chains in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He coined the term the “Hidden Middle” in 2015 and the “supermarket revolution” in 2003.
Our engagement at COP30
Tetra Pak is actively contributing to the food systems agenda at COP30 through strategic collaborations: co-hosting the Agrifood Systems Summit at the Swedish Pavilion with Inter IKEA, Alfa Laval and other partners, and leading the "Unlocking the power of the Hidden Middle" consortium with UNIDO at the Action on Food Hub. Join us!
Unlocking the power of the "Hidden Middle" Consortium, co-hosted with UNIDO
Food systems receive less than 5% of climate funding, despite contributing over a third of global emissions, with only 0.3% reaching the supply chain. Investing in the “hidden middle” - the midstream of the agrifood value chain - is essential to reducing food loss, driving decarbonisation, and strengthening global food security.
Join us at the Action on Food Hub for two plenary sessions:
November 12th, 14:00-15:00 local time | Scaling Finance and Policy to unlock the power of the hidden middle
November 14th, 12:00-13:00 local time | Delivering outcomes: The impact of the Hidden Middle on Food Security and Value Chains
Evening Reception & Soft launch of the
"Hidden Middle" Coalition
Following the plenary sessions on the Hidden Middle, this reception offers a dedicated space for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue, foster cross-sector collaboration, and explore pathways to scale investment and policy solutions across the agri-food value chain.
Location: Action on Food Hub
Date and Time: 12th November, 18:00-20:00 local time
(Limited capacity)
Agrifood Systems Summit, co-hosted with the
Swedish COP30 delegation
Co-hosted by Inter IKEA, Alfa Laval, Ragn-Sells, Spowdi, SIDA, and Business Sweden, the Agrifood Systems Summit will convene high-level stakeholders to explore innovative, collaborative, and human-centred approaches to transforming agrifood systems. Through exclusive sessions and a showcase of scalable business solutions, the summit will highlight both the urgency of building resilience and the human cost of inaction across the agrifood value chain.
Location: Swedish Pavilion
Date and Time: 15th November, 16:00-18:45 local time
(Invitation-only)
Agrifood Systems Community Evening Reception
Open to the COP30 community with prior registration, this evening reception offers a relaxed yet purposeful setting to connect with peers across the agrifood systems space. Featuring welcome remarks from high-level speakers, the event includes light refreshments and beverages, fostering informal dialogue and collaboration around the future of sustainable food systems.
Location: Swedish Pavilion
Date and Time: 15th November 18:45-20:00 local time
(Limited capacity)
