The role of AI in the fresh produce sector was the focus of yesterday's Zest AI Day at Leefgoed de Olifant in Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel. Around 40 participants attended to gain insight into the practical possibilities that AI already offers within the sector.
After a joint lunch, Alexander Schrijvershof of Zest opened the afternoon session. He introduced the Zest ERP system, which was specifically developed for the fresh produce sector on the Microsoft Business Central cloud platform. With this system, companies can go live within 12 weeks and benefit from real-time insight into order statuses, inventory, payments, quality claims, and performance, among other functions.
Giorgio De Lizer of Direct Fresh Int, Branko Bersma and Ivo van Rey of BioRey, John Dillon and Andries Lubbertsen of Zest, and Michiel Bontenbal of Chainn.
Microsoft specialist Steven Vlaanderen-Oldenzeel then explained how AI is integrated into Microsoft Business Central. Using a live demonstration, he illustrated the role AI can play in ERP environments and how fresh produce companies can apply it practically. He emphasized that every company today has essentially become an IT company. Microsoft Copilot, for example, serves as a digital companion for daily life. Powered by advanced AI, Copilot understands queries and commands, provides instant responses, assists with writing, and can even generate images. Specific Copilots are now available within Business Central to support daily operations. With the introduction of AI Agents, Microsoft is going a step further—these intelligent assistants can handle processes autonomously, while users take on a supervisory role.
Stefan Droogendijk of Normec QC One
Stefan Droogendijk (Normec QC One) demonstrated how AI in quality control is enabling fresh produce companies to shift from reactive to proactive approaches. He showed how technology can enhance chain transparency and contribute to reducing waste.
Florian Overhand (Shypple) focused on AI applications in fresh produce logistics. Shypple Fresh is the world's first digital freight forwarder for chilled transport. The Shypple platform digitises the entire supply chain, from 'farm' to 'coldstore'. Fresh produce importers receive automatic updates on delays, arrival times, container scans, and inspections. Additionally, they can collaborate efficiently with suppliers and cold stores within a single platform.
Florian Overhand of Shypple
"For fresh produce companies, digital logistics and AI are no longer optional. Half of all fruit and vegetables never reach the consumer. Delays and disruptions—affecting one in every two shipments—are a daily occurrence, while customer expectations continue to rise. With tight margins, additional costs like demurrage and detention, or poor communication with customers, are simply unaffordable. Real-time data provides a solution. Our AI algorithm ensures complete and accurate information. The potential of AI for processing transport documents is enormous: 80% faster and with 50% fewer errors," Florian explained.
Alexander Schrijvershof
Starting this autumn, Zest will begin working with Microsoft's latest AI tools to develop so-called AI Agents. In collaboration with ICT students from the Christelijke Hogeschool Ede (CHE) and Zest customers, practical applications of these digital assistants are being developed within the Zest platform. The goal: to create "your digital colleague" capable of independently handling daily tasks, thereby further improving efficiency in the sector.
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Photos: Corline Boekhout
For more information:
Alexander Schrijvershof
Zest
[email protected]
www.zest-erp.com