Industry leaders met in Warsaw to explore emerging challenges, new technologies, and the future of the business
Almost 300 delegates from more than 40 countries met to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities facing the agriculture and aquaculture sectors at last week’s GlobalGAP Summit 2024.
The event, which took place in Warsaw on 10-12 September, looked at the impact of new legislation, technological advancements, and rising consumer expectations on the industry. It served as a vital platform for exploring innovative solutions and fostering collaboration during this critical time of transformation.
Navigating change in the industry
With growing scrutiny on transparency and accountability, producers, suppliers, and buyers face increasing pressure to meet both consumer expectations and the demands of evolving supply chain legislation. Technological developments, alongside stricter regulations, are driving the need for more responsible farming practices and more transparency across the supply chain.
The summit heard how, to meet these challenges, industry stakeholders must embrace innovative approaches and integrate new technologies into their operations. Adapting to these changes requires a collective effort to enhance farm-level practices, streamline processes, and ensure greater traceability throughout the supply chain.
Collaboration at the core
Collaboration was the cornerstone of the GlobalGAP Summit, where participants discussed targeted strategies to address current and future industry challenges in a series of 10 breakout sessions throughout the event agenda.
The event also offered unparalleled networking opportunities, fostering open dialogue and knowledge-sharing. Dr Elmé Coetzer-Boersma, managing director of GlobalGAP c/o FoodPLUS GmbH, commented: “This summit has demonstrated that true progress stems from collective action. By sharing insights and strategies, we can not only overcome current challenges but also drive innovative solutions that shape the future of farming”.
Throughout the event, topics including the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, precision farming, and remote sensing technologies were addressed, as well as their transformative applications in agriculture.
The discussions also emphasised the increasing significance of green claims, certification, consumer trust, and product labelling as vital strategies for enhancing brand loyalty and enabling producers to achieve premium pricing. Additionally, opportunities for supply chain stakeholders to enhance traceability and transparency were explored, highlighting the importance of developing production processes to meet increasing sustainability requirements. The discussion of these critical topics provided an essential roadmap for the industry’s future.
As the summit concluded, participants emphasised the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration across sectors, underlining that these are not just one-time exchanges, but part of a continuous process.
“This event undoubtedly served as a catalyst for forging new connections and inspiring concrete action toward a more innovative, sustainable, and fit-for- future industry,” GlobalGAP said.
