The fresh produce industry has reached a significant milestone in its digital transformation, as compliance platforms now manage more than €50 billion worth of supply chain data. This development reflects a broader shift in how fruit and vegetable supply chains are approaching quality assurance and sustainability compliance, driven by increased regulatory pressure and changing customer expectations.
Traditional methods, such as spreadsheets and email-based document exchanges, are no longer sufficient to meet the growing complexity of compliance requirements. These outdated tools are labour-intensive and limit the ability of quality assurance, sustainability, and procurement professionals to focus on more strategic tasks. As demands increase, companies are moving toward data-driven systems that can provide timely and structured insights.
The industry is increasingly transitioning from document collection to real-time data analysis. While food safety was once validated with a simple certificate, sustainability reporting now requires ongoing tracking of supplier performance, corrective actions, and environmental indicators such as carbon footprint. Buyers are seeking deeper levels of compliance insight, moving beyond basic checks to assess how suppliers improve over time.
The scope of traceability has also expanded significantly. Where companies previously focused on direct suppliers, new European legislation—including the EUDR and CS3D—now requires end-to-end traceability down to the farm and even plot level. This has significantly increased the number of entities companies must monitor, creating a need for better systems that can handle data from thousands of producers, packers, and marketers across various regions.
What began as a competitive advantage among larger supply chain leaders is now becoming an industry norm. Adoption of digital compliance tools is accelerating among mid-sized traders, importers, and producers, as they respond to both regulatory obligations and rising buyer expectations. These tools are helping businesses streamline processes and reduce manual workload at a time when qualified staff are in short supply.
Several market forces are driving this transition. Talent shortages in compliance roles are pushing companies to automate repetitive tasks. Retailers and foodservice operators increasingly demand real-time supplier data integrated directly into procurement systems. At the same time, regulatory frameworks are raising the bar for supply chain transparency and due diligence.
Digital compliance systems are becoming as essential as inventory or financial management tools. Rather than adding complexity, the goal is to simplify compliance workflows, reduce duplication, and improve visibility for both suppliers and buyers. The rapid growth of these platforms highlights the sector's commitment to adapting to new challenges with efficient, scalable technology solutions.
For more information:
Robert van den Eeckhout
Agriplace
Tel: +31 (0)85 48 97 333
Email: [email protected]
www.agriplace.com