At this year’s EvokeAG 2025 event in Brisbane, we had the opportunity to listen to various panels held by executive directors, professors and founders within the Agritech industry. One of the many topical discussions focused on sustainability by injection and how weight loss drugs may affect the future of food. Let’s dive in.

Weight loss medications that contain semaglutide, including those of Ozempic and Wegovy that mimic the gut hormone GLP-1 to increase insulin release, have had astounding demand over the past few years. These increasingly popular weight loss drugs are used by one in eight adults. They are found to be highly effective in their ability to suppress appetites and reduce food cravings in the body, which ultimately is shifting our food industry. With the rise of Ozempic and Wegovy weight loss drugs influencing the way we eat and the types of food we desire, how might this affect the future of farming and agriculture?

Ozempic and Wegovy injectables results speak for themselves. Users find fatty and highly processed foods and alcohol less desirable and are instead consuming more fresh foods such as eggs, produce, grains, and legumes. With a need for less calorie-dense foods and a shift towards higher-fibre, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, farmers may need to adjust crop production to align with new and changing consumer preferences. This could lead to a major shift in agricultural planning and what crops are to be prioritised in future years to satisfy customer needs.

With a demand for healthy and fresh fruit and veg, could we see a rapid decline in high-fat meats and what does this mean for businesses in this sector? Although weight loss injectables decrease appetites, leaner meats are likely to be popular with consumers. This could affect the livestock industry, leading to changes in breed and feeding and prioritising lean meats over high-fat meats. Not only will this affect the agricultural breeding industry from farm to plate, but it will also change how meat companies market themselves. Adopting new and desired foods will be critical to remain relevant in the food industry.

A GLP-1 shift towards healthier food options through the likes of Ozempic and Wegovy weight loss medications will see farming and agriculture lead towards healthier food options and may incentivise farmers to adopt more sustainable growing practices. Increased pressure on the agricultural sector may lead to more innovative solutions to support the growing sustainable food system, especially as processed food consumption declines.

The ripple effects of medications on the agriculture and farming industry could have an immense impact in years to come. With shifting consumer preferences favouring less calorie-dense foods and more healthy, fresh fruit and veg, the agricultural industry may need to adjust crop production, modify livestock practices, and adopt sustainable and innovative growing methods due to the increasing use of weight loss injectables.