Walmart has partnered with Agritask, a crop supply intelligent company, to pilot a technology solution with the retailer’s Global Tech Sparkubate program. Sparkubate enables sourcing managers to make informed decisions on seasonal fruit crop yields such as cherries and blackberries, according to a news release.
This pilot program will use Agritask’s remote sensing and data analytics tools in the U.S. and Mexico to provide real-time, hyperlocal insights on seasonal blackberry and cherry crops from select Walmart suppliers, the release said.
“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.”
The retailer selected cherries and blackberries due to the sensitivity of temperature fluctuations and moisture levels, which can affect growth, quality, transport and shelf life, the release said.
Agritask said the goal of the project is to secure surety of supply, reduce food waste and guarantee fresh produce for shoppers. The company added that this real-time monitoring will help the retailer respond to adverse environmental conditions and better manage supply.
Agritask said examples of insights include:
- Immediate alerts on emerging or forming risks and their potential impact on target crops, such as an unexpected frost harming a cherry harvest, enabling Walmart to adjust procurement strategies swiftly.
- Real-time assessment of timing, delays, or advances in expected harvest, allowing Walmart to proactively manage inventory levels and explore alternative sourcing options.
- Updated indications on meeting yield targets throughout the growing season, allowing Walmart to optimize supply chain logistics and ensure sufficient product availability for customers.
“Walmart’s global scale and commitment to strengthening sustainable supply chains makes them the ideal partner for Agritask’s tech solutions,” said Ofir Ardon, CEO of Agritask. “We are thrilled to have Walmart become the first retail partner to integrate Yield Intelligence, adopting our data-driven innovation built on 15 years of optimizing agricultural supply chains to reshape how enterprises collaborate with suppliers. Together, we are uniquely positioned to implement scalable, climate-smart and risk-ready solutions that optimize sourcing from the ground up.”
