AB InBev, the brewer behind brands like Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona, has launched a blockchain trial in Europe that aims to provide beer drinkers with full transparency and traceability in the supply chain of barley through the scan of a QR code on the beer’s packaging. Belgian blockchain startup SettleMint developed the platform. Fujitsu is also supporting the initiative.
AB InBev already works directly with 60% of its farming base, which represents around 35,000 barley growers across 13 countries and the five continents. However, the pilot is focused on the indirect farmers that compose the remaining 40% of the brewer’s barley supply, most of which are located in Europe.
Through a scalable blockchain system, the pilot will link 80 barley farmers across the North East of France with one malthouse in Antwerp and Stella Artois’ brewery in Leuven. AB InBev will use the platform’s information to aggregate and benchmark data that can improve the productivity, profitability, and environmental footprint across the network. “At scale, the data collected will not only provide a fully end-to-end view of the supply chain to consumers, but can help to advance agricultural development: improving growers yields and water and energy efficiency, as well as soil health,” said AB InBev in its announcement.
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