Jul 9, 2024

Walmart, Agritask partner to enhance cherry crop sourcing

Walmart has entered a partnership with Agritask, a crop supply intelligence company, to pilot a technology solution aimed at improving produce-sourcing decisions for seasonal fruits such as cherries and blackberries.

This initiative, in collaboration with Walmart Global Tech’s Sparkubate program, seeks to secure supply surety, reduce food waste and ensure fresh produce for shoppers.

The pilot will deploy Agritask’s remote sensing and data analytics tools in various U.S. and Mexican regions to provide real-time, hyperlocal insights on crops from select Walmart suppliers. The technology will monitor temperature fluctuations and moisture levels, significantly impacting crop growth, quality, transport, and shelf life.

“Dealing with challenges in purchasing and planning accuracy in agriculture due to data discrepancies and environmental uncertainties can be tough. Agritask’s technology has the potential to fill vital information gaps that sourcing managers often face when predicting yield,” said Kyle Carlyle, vice president of sourcing innovation and surety of supply at Walmart.

“Teaming up with Agritask enables Walmart to delve into more streamlined and sustainable sourcing practices, ensuring we consistently deliver fresh, high-quality products to meet customer demand,” added Carlyle.

“Walmart’s global scale and commitment to strengthening sustainable supply chains make them the ideal partner for Agritask’s tech solutions. Together, we are uniquely positioned to implement scalable, climate-smart, and risk-ready solutions that optimize sourcing from the ground up,” said Ofir Ardon, CEO of Agritask in the recent announcement of the partnership.

This pilot is Walmart’s latest effort to leverage technology for a sustainable and resilient supply chain, following previous initiatives like unspun’s 3D weaving technology and Rubi Laboratory’s carbon capture pilot.

For more information, visit Walmart’s website.