Three Trends Shaping the Ag Supply Chain in 2025

The post-harvest agriculture supply chain has always been a complex balancing act between efficiency, sustainability, and risk management. However, as we approach 2025, notable new pressures — environmental, technological, and economic — are reshaping the way we think about storage, transport, and quality preservation.

At Centaur, we work closely with producers, grain handlers, and food companies worldwide, giving us a front-row seat to the changes happening across the industry. The trends we highlight below aren’t just predictions; they are shifts we are actively witnessing in the field.

1. Climate is Rewriting the Rules of Storage and Transport

From extended droughts to record-setting floods, extreme weather is disrupting traditional grain storage and logistics. In regions like the U.S. Midwest and Australia, inconsistent rainfall patterns are forcing producers to rethink drying and aeration strategies, as temperature and moisture variations inside grain bins are becoming more erratic. Meanwhile, heat waves in South America are accelerating spoilage risks in stored soybeans, making real-time monitoring more critical than ever.

Moreover, supply chains across oceans and along waterways are facing new vulnerabilities. Recent shipping disruptions in the Red Sea and Mississippi River low water levels highlighted how climate-linked challenges aren’t just about farming—they affect how and when crops reach the global market.

🌾 What this means: The industry can no longer rely on seasonal “rules of thumb” for storage and transport. Adaptive management, powered by real-time sensing and AI-driven predictive analytics, is becoming a necessity rather than a luxury.

2. AI and Automation: Going “Lights-Out” and Doing More with Less

The integration of AI and automation is revolutionizing post-harvest grain storage management. Generative AI, the new wave of AI capable of producing new content and insights, is anticipated to enhance decision-making processes in storage and logistics. By analyzing real-time data from Internet of Things (IoT) sensors — monitoring factors such as temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels — Generative AI can provide actionable recommendations to storage managers. This fusion of textbook guidelines with live data promises to deliver insightful directives, optimizing storage conditions and mitigating spoilage risks. For instance, AI-driven systems have been developed to identify common stored grain insect species with over 96% accuracy, allowing for rapid pest control measures and reduced economic losses. 

Furthermore, AI-powered solutions are being integrated into grain elevators, enabling predictive maintenance, optimizing storage conditions, and enhancing grain quality management through automated management processes. These advancements not only improve operational efficiency but also safeguard grain quality throughout the storage cycle. 

By leveraging AI, grain storage facilities can transition towards more autonomous operations, often referred to as “lights-out” facilities, where systems operate with minimal human intervention. This approach enhances efficiency, reduces labor costs, and minimizes human error, leading to more resilient and sustainable supply chains.

🌾 What this means: Incorporating Generative AI into grain storage management represents a significant leap forward, combining advanced technology with practical applications to address longstanding challenges in the industry.

3. Commodity Prices Have to Start Rising—But So Will Storage Risk

Recent shifts in trade policy and macroeconomic factors are driving up prices for key agricultural commodities. Corn, soybeans, wheat and even Arabica coffee are seeing increased volatility due to tariffs and climate uncertainty.

As a result, many producers are holding onto their stocks longer in anticipation of higher prices. However, longer storage times increase the risk of spoilage, particularly in regions with high humidity or fluctuating temperatures. Our own data from global deployments shows that over 50% of monitored grain and oilseed bins require at least one intervention per storage cycle—and that number is increasing as storage durations stretch.

Meanwhile, for exporters moving grain via ocean freight, there’s another challenge: conditions inside cargo holds can rapidly deteriorate as ships cross multiple climate zones. Monitoring these conditions in real time is becoming a critical tool for preventing losses and reducing insurance costs.

🌾 What this means: Agribusinesses need to treat stored grain as a dynamic asset, not a static one. Holding onto stocks for longer means investing in better monitoring, smarter aeration, and AI-assisted quality management to maximize profitability while mitigating risks.

Closing Thoughts

The post-harvest industry is facing unprecedented change, but also unprecedented opportunity. Those who embrace adaptive, technology-driven strategies will not only survive these shifts—they’ll thrive. As always, we look forward to partnering with you in navigating these evolving challenges.

Let’s make 2025 a year of resilient, sustainable, and profitable supply chains!