Five Keys to Building a Resilient Food and Beverage Supply Chain in 2026

By Jack Payne, Director of Food and Beverage Solutions Consulting for
Aptean
and Joe Slater, Business Consultant for
Logility
, an Aptean Company.

As weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable and geopolitical tensions rise, the factors influencing food prices are growing both more frequent and severe. The pressure on consumers has never been higher.

A 2025 consumer survey
indicates that 90% of American adults are stressed about grocery costs, with over half viewing rising prices as a major source of stress—surpassing other financial concerns.

The outlook isn’t promising. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
predicts food prices will rise at a rate above historical averages, an estimated 3% this year and an additional 2.7% in 2026.

Food suppliers may not be able to control all costs; however, they can manage their supply chains more effectively to mitigate disruptions, optimize expenses, and maintain stable consumer pricing.

Achieving this goal won’t be straightforward. Industry leaders must cultivate resilience amidst significant challenges, including regulatory compliance, labor shortages, and fluctuating consumer preferences.

Five Keys to a Resilient Food and Beverage Supply Chain in 2026

#1 Unify Planning with AI-Driven Demand Forecasts

In an unpredictable market, brands gain a competitive edge with agile supply chains underpinned by accurate and market-sensitive demand plans shared organization-wide.

The challenge doesn’t lie in lacking information but in accessing and consolidating it. Operating from a solitary source of truth is impossible when teams work in silos with outdated tools like spreadsheets.

AI-powered solutions can produce forecasts using real-time data, establishing a factual foundation for sales and operations planning (S&OP), replacing subjective manual interventions with intelligent automation.

#2 Master Inventory with Intelligent Optimization

Inventory management directly impacts customer service, product quality, and waste—making it one of the most visible supply chain expenses.

With billions wasted yearly, optimizing inventory aligns supply with demand, mitigating costs and boosting revenue. This will be even more critical as producers transition from artificial to natural food dyes, shortening shelf life due to regulatory and consumer pressures.

#3 Synchronize Manufacturing with Real-Time Demand

Food and beverage brands aim to produce the correct amount of each product at the right times to meet consumer demand effectively.

#4 Automate S&OP for Strategic Agility

Food and beverage brands can enhance agility with the help of advanced analytics and digital twins—virtual representations of the supply chain allowing for efficient problem-solving.

#5 Build a Proactive and Diversified Sourcing Strategy

To ensure ingredient availability while controlling costs, companies need a resilient sourcing strategy involving multiple suppliers from various regions.

In summary, resilient supply chains are vital for both brands and consumers alike.

While external pressures like inflation may persist, companies can fortify their supply chains to benefit their margins and offer consumers stable prices and product availability.

Jack Payne serves as Director of Food and Beverage Solutions Consulting for
Aptean
. Jack has over 30 years of experience in the food and beverage sector, aiding over 700 companies in selecting ERP, MRP, and Supply Chain Planning technologies. His commitment to food safety, traceability, and sustainability is evident in his work.

Joe Slater serves as a Business Consultant for
Logility
, an Aptean Company. Joe’s decade at Logility has equipped him with deep expertise to align client challenges with the capabilities of Logility’s digital supply chain planning platform.