Data Sharing In The Fresh Produce Industry

According to Ed Treacy, vice-president of supply chain efficiencies for the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), blockchain technology holds great possibilities for improving efficiency and traceability in the fresh produce sector. In particular, it optimises supply chain operations, enhancing quality management, increasing market and business intelligence, reducing costs, and fostering brand protection.

- Ed Treacy

Over the past decade, block chain technology has developed into one of today’s leading technologies. It can help digitally trace and authenticate food products from an ecosystem of suppliers to store shelves and ultimately to consumers. For the retailer, it means fresher food, reduced food waste, faster targeted recalls, and supply chain visibility and traceability. On the customers’ side, it builds trust and confidence, encourages brand loyalty, and provides appropriate information and transparency.

BLOCKCHAIN: WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT OFFERS

Blockchain technology can be described as a continually growing list of records that are separate (blocks) and are then linked (chain). The data in the chain is secure. Using sophisticated encryption protocols, it creates a unique serial number that incorporates the data and the time using distributor ledger technology. It is therefore impossible to modify data without others being aware of it.

In the world of fresh produce, block chain is a protocol for sharing information. It is not a database in the sky, software or hardware. It is a set of rules that has the user’s name on it and is shared. Put another way, a block chain is simply a ledger of transactions, but a unique type of ledger where data cannot be changed or deleted. It is essentially a secure database with copies spread across multiple computers, and everybody involved has the same record of all transactions. Depending on the configuration, it can be tailored to control which parties have access to which data.

Blockchain takes place in a decentralised environment and enables information to move securely. A powerful attribute of the methodology is its ability to move through the supply chain at the same speed as the product.

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