Rabobank Report: Transforming the Food & Agri Supply Chain

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rabobank has published a new research report looking at the current food and agriculture (F&A) supply chain, identifying flaws that leave the sector ill equipped to respond to new complexities, and calling on the industry to transform the way supply chains are organized. Specifically, Rabobank identifies a dedicated supply chain model as the best step for F&A companies to take, and recommends the adoption of longer-term supply agreements and cooperative relationships with upstream and downstream partners.

“Closer cooperation of this sort will transform the nature of F&A partnerships from transactional ones that are centered around chasing price, to a system focused on creating value.”

In the report authored by Rabobank’s global Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory, the bank’s analysts look at how the operating environment for F&A companies is becoming increasingly complex, as new external influences compound traditional pressures such as rising agri commodity prices. Rabobank says that the dedicated supply chain model has potential to revolutionize the F&A industry, by making it more productive, innovative, safe and sustainable. The bank’s report stresses that all of these outcomes are vital if the sector is to deliver food security to a future global population of 9 billion.

Limitations of the current structure

Rabobank says that traditional pressures on the F&A industry (supply and demand dynamics, a burgeoning population, and rising agri commodity prices) are being compounded by a new set of external influences. The direct use of agri commodities for biofuel production and an increased awareness of the energy intensity of food production, for example, have embroiled F&A companies in an ongoing food vs. fuel debate. Similarly, speculation in agri commodity markets and the regulatory responses this has triggered from governments worldwide have added to the complexity of the environment in which the F&A sector operates.

These new pressures also serve to exacerbate the flaws in the current supply chain model, Rabobank says. The dominant supply chain model is currently structured in a linear fashion, in which suppliers, processors and retailers form short-term partnerships independent from the influence and interests of other members of the chain. This model is highly inefficient, restricting F&A companies’ ability to respond to changes in supply and demand dynamics, while fleeting partnerships limit productivity and restrict innovation. This system also results in wasteful processes that cause more environmental degradation than is necessary.

Adding value through closer cooperation

Rabobank believes that switching to a new supply chain model – the dedicated supply chain – has the potential to transform the F&A industry. In a dedicated supply chain structure, upstream suppliers and processors enter into long-term partnerships with each other and a downstream chain leader. Crucially, information and insights are shared along the chain’s length for the benefit of all members.

Justin Sherrard, Rabobank Global Strategist, says "Closer cooperation of this sort will transform the nature of F&A partnerships from transactional ones that are centered around chasing price, to a system focused on creating value."

The advantages of dedicated supply chains over the current system are manifold. Companies embracing this thinking will benefit in the following ways:

Reduced risk
Longer term, more stable agreements reduce exposure to price volatility, whilst shared insights will enable players to better react to market risks

Improved productivity
Better insights into chain requirements improve process efficiency and partners can also work together to finds ways to limit or reuse waste

Access to new markets
Better insights into downstream needs and opportunities can better inform product innovation and help companies to grow footprints in new markets

Enhanced brand and reputation
Companies with ambitious CSR targets can help their partners on other product attributes, such as sustainability

Improved access to capital
In addition to better cash flows and stronger credit ratings, members can access new financing models that provide leverage from chain partners

Rabobank says that adopting the dedicated supply chain model positions F&A companies for longer-term growth, as the sector rises to meet the over-arching challenge to feed the world in coming decades.

Making the change

Rabobank’s report encourages the industry to abandon its preoccupation with short-term price spikes. Rabobank believes that a model based on chasing price is a narrow approach that will restrict the ability of F&A companies to realize their growth objectives in this more complex and demanding environment.

The report calls for prominent F&A brands to show leadership, through creating initiatives that will lead to closer cooperation between their upstream partners. The report cites several examples of leading F&A companies that are already active in this space, such as Mars' decision to release the cocoa genome sequence into the public domain as part of its broader commitment to sustainably sourcing all cocoa purchases by 2020.

Furthermore, Rabobank believes that sector leaders undertaking such initiatives must become advocates for dedicated supply chains, by sharing their experiences with the wider industry.

Barry Parkin, Mars Global Chocolate Procurement and Sustainability Head, says, "Mars believes that closer cooperation, both up the supply chain with suppliers, origin governments and NGO’s, and across the supply chain with other manufacturers, is critical to achieving the cocoa industry’s growth and sustainability goals. Through Mars’ Sustainable Cocoa Initiative, we are actively engaging with all parties in an effort to drive a step change in farmers’ cocoa yield, which is the key to driving economic, social and environmental sustainability. We have already demonstrated with our partners up the supply chain that a 3-fold increase in yield is realistic and the challenge now is to roll this out to hundreds of thousands if not millions of small-holder cocoa farmers by the whole industry getting behind the same initiatives in multiple origins."

Gilles Boumeester, Rabobank’s Global Head of Food & Agri Coverage, comments, "F&A financing institutions also have a role to play in creating an environment that is conducive to adopting this new model. To this end, Rabobank is developing new financing solutions that support and encourage companies embracing dedicated supply chain thinking."

The Rabobank report on the food and agribusiness supply chain model is available to media upon request.

Rabobank Group is a global financial services leader providing wholesale and retail banking, leasing, real estate services, and renewable energy project financing. Founded over a century ago, Rabobank is one of the largest banks in the world, with nearly $1 trillion in assets and operations in more than 40 countries. In North America, Rabobank is a premier bank to the food, beverage and agribusiness industry. Rabobank’s Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory team is comprised of more than 80 analysts around the world who provide expert analysis, insight and counsel to Rabobank clients about trends, issues and developments in all sectors of agriculture. w www.rabobank.com/f&a

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