COUNTRY FOCUS: UK
“
WE BELIEVE THAT
FARMERS, AGRONOMISTS AND
EVERYONE ELSE IN THE SUPPLY
CHAIN SHOULD OWN AND CONTROL
THE DATA THEY COLLECT.
• Two in three businesses are increasing
investment in supply chain technology
• Customers are 170% more likely to cite
higher sales among their top benefits
from using supply chain technology
• In the UK, retailer standards (e.g. size,
shape and blemish criteria of fruit and
vegetables) can reject up to 40% of
edible produce (avoidable waste), which
may never reach market
• In the UK, over 2 million tonnes of fresh
produce is lost or wasted each year in
the supply chain alone. It is estimated
that, through action to reduce or prevent
this waste, the UK fresh produce industry
could make savings of between £400
million and £500 million a year
A key issue outlined by McCracken is the need
to better meet contract specification from
buyers. Elements of the horticulture sector
and outside of agriculture in the automotive
industries, were given as examples of
turbulent trades that have adapted and
thrived after implementing instant electronic
communications, priming them to take
advantage of the data revolution.
McCracken emphasised the potential for
data integration to make the agricultural
industry more profitable and productive
at every level. “Farmers, manufacturers,
distributors and processors should be
operating hand-in-hand to deliver the most
efficient and profitable supply chains,” said
McCracken. “Data will make specifications
more specific and empower farmers to meet
them by providing the insight to measure
and manage the process. For example,
consistently producing into a tighter
specification will increase margin across the
whole supply chain. Farmers will earn more
because a higher percentage of output is
meeting the correct spec and processors will
gain because the spec is tighter, so they are
able to deliver more end product.”
McCracken closed with a call for involvement
from everyone across the entire sector:
“Potatoes, oats, dairy products, biofuel, meat,
grain; the list of commercial applications
is endless. An adaption of data-driven
supply chains will make the UK more
competitive; vital given the uncertainty
surrounding our post-Brexit environment.
The Brexit vote and the re-evaluation of
the support system can prove a stimulus
for adopting cutting-edge technology
and supporting investment to create an
actively dynamic sector, encouraging
innovation and attracting new talent.”
Farmplan, part of Proagrica, is also paving
the way towards a more innovative
agricultural industry using IT. The
company has announced the release of
Gatekeeper Express, a new entry level,
cloud-based crop recording solution.
Gatekeeper Express builds on the success
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