What’s in Your Traceability Tech Stack?

According to Grand View Research, the global food traceability technologies market, valued at nearly $17 billion in 2023, is expected to reach more than $30 billion by 2030, a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%. That’s a lot of tech heading the food industry’s way in a few short years. Industry experts note that some tech-enabled traceability solutions today are enjoying fast-tracked adoption over others, depending on where a company sits in the food value chain. Alex Miller, director, enterprise accounts with iFoodDS, offers this current Top 5 list:

• Cloud computing/software as a service (SaaS) is favored for its scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, enabling companies to manage large datasets efficiently and facilitating real-time data access and collaboration.


• Mobile apps are popular due to their ease of use, enabling workers to input and retrieve data on the go, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and accuracy. To maximize benefits, this data should be integrated into a SaaS solution, providing centralized access, comprehensive reporting, and seamless E2E traceability.


• IIoT technologies, including sensors, barcodes, RFID, and QR codes, are widely implemented for their ability to automate data collection and improve traceability accuracy, offering real-time product tracking throughout the supply chain.


• Blockchain/distributed ledger offers enhanced transparency and security across the supply chain, making it an option that is ideal for E2E traceability.


• Software (data analytics/data warehouses/ERP) are increasingly adopted for their ability to streamline operations, enhance data accuracy, and provide valuable insights into the supply chain. However, the use of disparate software systems across a supply chain can hinder transparency. Integrating these systems into a single source of truth, like a SaaS solution, will make data more accessible and significantly enhance E2E traceability.