Cyber security on top agenda of perishable supply chains

At Fruit Attraction 2026 in Madrid, the Global Coalition of Fresh Produce brought industry experts together for the resilient supply chain on a panel discussion about “Collaborating to Safeguard Produce from Cyberspace to Cargo Holds”. The objective is to explore practical ways to protect produce and strengthen supply chain resilience. Shipping delays, food waste, cyberattacks, and payment fraud are increasingly interconnected challenges for fresh produce businesses. Tackling them requires more than logistics expertise: it calls for collaboration, transparency, and trust across the entire supply chain.

Diversifying sourcing and combating cybercrime

Greg Palmer from the CPMA and Global Coalition of Fresh Produce) highlighted the importance of flexible sourcing, reliable logistics, efficient shipping routes and better coordination to respond to changing market demands and shipping disruptions. Drew Zabrocki (Totem Ltd.) exposed vulnerabilities ranging from compromised software and fake carriers to fraudulent documents and payment requests. Mike Laws (Laws Logistics) and Steve Alaerts (Foodcareplus) reinforced the need for secure, robust systems that protect data and preserve trust between supply chain partners.

Turning collaboration into action

Ellen Pay (Global Coalition of Fresh Produce) presented the Global Coalition of Fresh Produce’s Charter of Good Shipping Practices, a voluntary framework built around five principles: collaboration and communication; fair and transparent business terms; competition and efficiency; cargo integrity and product quality; and resilience and risk preparedness.

The key takeaway and charter of good practices

The discussion panel concluded with a key statement and recommendations: no company can build a resilient supply chain alone. Progress depends on cooperation between growers, exporters, logistics providers, buyers and industry organizations, supported by shared standards, reliable information and practical safeguards. The “Charter of Good Shipping Practices”, presented by the global coalition provides a voluntary framework to turn this shared commitment into action through better communication, fairer business practices, and stronger risk preparedness.

For more information about the charter and recommended solutions of the shipping industry, you can click here.