IFPA 2026 Recap: The Technology Themes RSM's Kevin Head Saw Dominate the Show

ORLANDO, FL - From behind the eyes of Kevin Head, Director of Food and Beverage for RSM, the bustling show floor of the International Fresh Produce Association's (IFPA) 2026 Global Produce and Floral Show (GPFS) transforms into an algorithm of industry needs, demand, patterns, and potential. Reading it through his unique lens of experience, the tech and food leader took away some key observations that resonate even now, days after being back home.

The conversations at IFPA 2026 felt different. While AI continued to generate buzz, produce companies were far more focused on the real-world challenges affecting their bottom line, from tariffs and freight costs to traceability, compliance, and supply chain disruption.

As a result, technology discussions became business discussions. Companies aren't looking for more tools. They're looking for practical solutions that improve visibility, automate manual processes, and help them respond more effectively to change.

AI Is Shifting From Curiosity to Business Value

Artificial intelligence remained one of the most discussed topics throughout the event. However, the nature of the conversation has evolved considerably.

Rather than asking what AI is or how it works, attendees were focused on identifying practical applications that can deliver measurable value. Discussions centered on automating repetitive tasks, improving reporting capabilities, supporting faster decision-making, and enhancing workforce productivity.

This shift reflects a growing level of maturity in the market. Organizations are moving beyond exploration and beginning to evaluate AI based on how it can address specific business challenges and improve operational performance.

Business Pressures Are Driving Technology Priorities

While AI generated significant interest, broader business concerns were often at the center of technology discussions.

Rising freight costs, supply chain disruptions, labor challenges, tariffs, and ongoing market volatility continue to create pressure across the produce industry. Many organizations are evaluating how technology can help them adapt more effectively to these changing conditions. The emphasis was not on technology for technology's sake. Instead, companies are seeking solutions that improve agility, strengthen visibility, and support more confident decision-making in an increasingly complex operating environment.

Visibility and Connected Data Remain Critical

A recurring theme throughout the show was the need for greater visibility across the business. Many produce organizations continue to operate with disconnected systems, manual processes, and fragmented data sources. As operations grow more complex, these challenges can limit efficiency and make it difficult to access timely information when decisions need to be made.

Attendees consistently expressed interest in solutions that bring together finance, supply chain, operational, and customer data to create a more connected view of the organization. Improved integration is increasingly viewed as a prerequisite for better reporting, planning, and performance management.

Traceability Continues to Evolve

Traceability remains a key priority for produce organizations, but the conversation has expanded beyond compliance requirements alone.

Companies are increasingly viewing traceability as an opportunity to improve visibility, strengthen customer confidence, respond more effectively to audits and recalls, and support broader risk management initiatives. As expectations continue to evolve across the supply chain, organizations are looking for ways to make traceability more efficient and sustainable.

Customs Compliance Emerged as a Growing Area of Focus

One topic that generated notable discussion was customs value reconciliation and compliance. As tariff activity and regulatory scrutiny continue to increase, organizations are placing greater emphasis on import valuation processes, documentation requirements, and audit readiness. For many produce companies, compliance efforts that were once managed through spreadsheets and manual processes are becoming more difficult to maintain at scale.

This has created growing interest in technology solutions that can improve accuracy, reduce manual effort, and provide stronger controls around customs-related processes.

Moving Beyond Spreadsheet-Driven Processes

The desire to reduce reliance on spreadsheets surfaced repeatedly in conversations across the show floor.

Organizations are looking to automate manual workflows, improve data accuracy, and develop more scalable processes that can support future growth. Whether addressing compliance requirements, value reconciliation, reporting, or operational visibility, many companies recognize that spreadsheet-based approaches can create inefficiencies and limit access to real-time information.

Investments in integrated technology platforms are increasingly viewed as a way to improve consistency, reduce risk, and support better collaboration across the business.

Looking Ahead

A clear theme emerged from IFPA 2026: produce companies are becoming increasingly strategic in how they evaluate technology investments.

Whether the conversation focused on AI, traceability, data integration, customs compliance, or supply chain visibility, the underlying objective was consistent. Organizations are looking for practical solutions that help them navigate uncertainty, improve operational performance, and build greater resilience for the future.

As market conditions continue to evolve, technology will play an important role in helping produce companies turn data into insight, automate critical processes, and make more informed business decisions. The organizations that derive the greatest value from technology will be those that align their investments with clear business objectives and measurable outcomes.

How RSM Can Help

The conversations at IFPA 2026 reinforced a common reality across the produce industry: organizations are navigating increasing operational complexity while balancing growth, compliance, and profitability. Whether the challenge involves AI adoption, traceability, customs value reconciliation, supply chain visibility, or replacing manual spreadsheet-based processes, success depends on having the right technology aligned to business objectives.

RSM helps produce companies address these challenges through industry-focused solutions that connect systems, improve data visibility, automate critical processes, and support more informed decision-making. Our team works with organizations to modernize ERP and business applications, strengthen supply chain operations, enhance traceability and compliance capabilities, leverage data and analytics, and identify practical AI use cases that deliver measurable value.

As the industry continues to evolve, companies that can turn information into insight and complexity into opportunity will be better positioned for long-term success. 

To learn how RSM can help your organization build a more connected, efficient, and resilient operation, connect with our team.