International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) held its annual Executive Leadership Summit (ELS) in Berlin on February 6. The invitation-only event, held in conjunction with Fruit Logistica, welcomed more than 120 executive leadership from 24 countries to discuss the major issues facing the industry.
“Bringing together this group of leaders is such a transformative moment for the year, allowing our industry to spend time connecting and learning about the big picture issues defining the global economy,” said IFPA chief membership officer, Miriam Wolk. “With this knowledge, our industry is better prepared to drive our success on a global scale.”
Panelists from ICA Sweden and Spinneys joined Wolk (above) to discuss global industry trends for 2024.
The agenda takeaways include:
- Geopolitical concerns: The world is volatile right now--from trade regulations, international conflict, or extreme weather events – and the global supply chain is dealing with unpredictable headwinds.
- AI can be a solution if it’s made sure not to be the biggest challenge: AI could be a huge unlock for administrative or operational work like budgets and planning or helping identify patterns across the global supply chain to create more accurate forecasts. On the other hand, the power and value of personal contact and preparation for the level of governance needed to stay in control of AI efforts must be remembered.
- Transformative change in packaging: It’s needed but can’t sacrifice safety. While overall reduction and innovative approaches to decrease the environmental impact are critical, Summit attendees acknowledged that public health or product quality can’t be sacrificed to do so. The industry must be committed to helping the public understand the role and challenges in addressing sustainable packaging efforts.
- Setting the trends will be critical: Panelists from ICA Sweden and Spinneys joined Wolk to discuss Global Industry Trends for 2024. One prevailing sentiment was the industry’s need to start setting trends instead of always responding to them. It’s expected that consumers will ask about where their food comes from more and more and there’s also higher engagement on social media where consumers are learning and changing their relationships to cost and value. There’s also a firm belief in nudging – not telling – about the benefit of produce.
“From packaging regulations to AI, the industry is facing many new challenges that will continue to develop with or without our input,” said IFPA’s chief science officer, Max Teplitski, Ph.D. “As an industry, we must choose to play an engaged role in the development of these major issues. The Executive Leadership Summit is an excellent way to kick off the industry’s commitment to transforming the global supply chain each year.”
For more information:
Ashley Sempowski
International Fresh Produce Association
ASempowski@freshproduce.com
https://www.freshproduce.com/