US fresh produce giant Naturipe Farms has announced that it is is working with German software organisation SAP on an initiative to lead retailers and consumer product companies using blockchain technology to improve safety and reduce waste across the global supply chain.
According to Naturipe, the goal is to help build the next-generation of farm-to-consumer 'track and trace', also known as the digital supply chain for food.
“We are excited to work with SAP to provide improvements in food safety and provide consumers with information they are asking for,” said Carol McMillan, director of IT for Naturipe Farms. “Currently, food supply chain stakeholders record their own product information and share only if necessary. The goal is to help create a system with higher trust and transparency between companies to increase speed and operational simplification.”
“We are working with leading brands in the food industry to unlock the potential of blockchain to address the industry’s biggest supply chain challenges,' explained Hans Thalbauer, senior vice-president for IoT and digital supply chain at SAP. 'The case is important to SAP because our technology helps to reduce food waste and optimise the supply chain.'
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 30 per cent of the food produced in the world is lost or wasted, so improving the food supply chain will greatly reduce food scarcity.
Along with other partner companies, Naturipe and SAP aim to boost supply chain integrity and efficiency through the blockchain initiative.
