Cooling for Agribusiness Value Chains

Demand for food is set to increase by 60% in the coming decades. At the same time, over 1/3 of food produced is lost or wasted every year – mostly due to inadequate cold chains – enough to feed 2 billion people. Rising temperatures and increased heat are putting a strain on productivity. On average, agribusiness yields decrease 3-7% for every 1 C increase in global mean temperatures. Overheated plants produce fewer crops and overheated animals produce less milk, meat, and eggs.

Recognizing global food security as a key strategic pillar, the World Bank Group is committed to doubling agribusiness investments to $9 billion annually by 2030. To meet the challenge of global food security, investing in sustainable cooling for agri value chains will be crucial, including through energy efficient improvements, sustainable packaging, bolstering local cold chains, and creating transformative cooling solutions that combine renewable energy with innovative materials for off-grid solutions.

IFC is providing advice and investment to companies along the agribusiness value chain and around the globe. This may include all steps in the value chain, including pre- and post-harvest; animal husbandry; food processing; cold storage, transport, and logistics; and retail (both in larger supermarkets and in small and medium enterprises).

IFC is seeking innovators that can provide solutions to agribusiness companies along the value chain. The call for innovators will be implemented on a rolling basis as our network of adopters (see the following tab) expands through IFC’s ongoing client-focused efforts.

IFC is seeking innovators that can provide solutions to agribusiness companies along the entire value chain. This may include pre- and post-harvest; animal husbandry; food processing; cold storage, transport, and logistics; and retail (both in larger supermarkets and in small and medium enterprises). Through our Sustainable Cooling Initiative, we will bring together technology innovators worldwide and leading local companies to test innovative climate-smart technologies and solutions. The call for innovators will be implemented on a rolling basis as our network of adopters (see the following tab) expands through IFC’s ongoing client-focused efforts.

Astarta is a vertically integrated holding headquartered in Ukraine which conducts socially responsible business and produces food products oriented to global markets. Key activities include: agriculture, sugar production, cattle farming, soybean production, and bioenergy.

Raiar is an organic egg and poultry producer in Brazil. Raiar specializes in producing organic eggs from cage-free chickens and prioritizes animal welfare through its production practices, including the use of modern technology and by ensuring its eggs are antibiotic-free. Raiar is looking for cooling solutions both for its chicken sheds (to help animals withstand rising heat in Brazil) and for its cold-chain storage and transportation, which will ensure quality and taste of the eggs and the poultry meat.