Global grain leaders gathered in London to tackle the urgent need for regulatory harmonization, digital innovation, and resilient logistics to secure the future of food trade. The IGC 2025 Conference provided a pivotal platform to shape a more connected, efficient, and sustainable supply chain for an increasingly uncertain world.

Miller Magazine, as a media partner of the International Grains Council (IGC), was on-site in London to capture insights from this landmark event. Held on 10–11 June 2025, the 34th IGC Grains Conference brought together over 350 delegates from across the globe—including policymakers, traders, researchers, and industry leaders.

The agenda featured two full days of plenary sessions, regional workshops, and commodity roundtables, covering topics such as trade finance, biodiversity, port connectivity, logistics strategies, regional opportunities in Africa and the Middle East, and commodity-specific workshops on grains, rice, oilseeds, and pulses. From climate volatility and geopolitical tensions to shifting dietary patterns and fragile logistics, the IGC 2025 Conference served as a strategic platform for building a more connected, efficient, and resilient global grain trade. 

A NEW GRAIN TRADE PARADIGM

In his opening address, Hamed Oussama Salhi, Chairperson of the IGC, underscored the critical shift in global grain logistics—from just-in-time efficiency to just-in-case resilience. As supply chains face increasing disruption from events like the Panama Canal drought and Red Sea security risks, real-time data, advanced forecasting, and proactive infrastructure investment have become essential. Salhi revealed that the IGC, with support from the Government of Japan, is now investing in enhanced shipping data monitoring systems and collaborating with the OECD to track maritime bottlenecks more effectively. 

Andre Negreiros of Corteva Agriscience delivered a strong call for regulatory alignment to accelerate agricultural innovation. He warned that despite biotechnological advancements, grain production growth has fallen behind consumption since 2011, risking future supply gaps. “We know how to feed the world,” Negreiros stated, “but regulatory barriers must not prevent us from doing so.”

His comments echoed those of Daniel Zeichner, the UK’s Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, who announced the UK’s upcoming land use framework designed to balance food production, environmental protection, and housing development. Zeichner reaffirmed UK support for gene editing and digital agriculture as tools for future food system resilience.

KEYS TO FOOD SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

A regional panel on the Middle East highlighted how grain-import-dependent countries are adapting procurement strategies to improve food security. Dmytro Prykhodko from the FAO urged countries to reconsider wheat tender specifications to optimize costs without compromising quality. By slightly lowering protein requirements or increasing tender volumes, countries can achieve significant savings. 

According to FAO’s work across the region, modest changes in tender terms can generate major savings:

• Reducing the required protein content in wheat from 12.5% to 12% can save up to $5 per ton, without compromising bread quality.
• Increasing tender volumes lowers prices through scale.
• Allowing more suppliers to participate in bids can reduce prices by up to $1.80/ton, thanks to improved competition.

Malak Al Akiely, CEO of Golden Wheat for Grain Trading, described Jordan’s strategy of pre-emptive reserve building and logistics modernization as key to navigating recent global shocks. Mutlaq Al-Zayed, CEO of Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries, emphasized that long-term storage and forward contracting were critical in securing food supplies through the Gulf crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the Ukraine conflict.

Tarek El Azab from Corteva warned that fragmented regulatory environments in the region are stifling investment and called for harmonized frameworks under regional organizations like the Arab League or the GCC.

THE FUTURE OF GRAIN TRADE

In a panel moderated by Erin Gowriluk, President of the Canada Grains Council, grain trade leaders explored how digital documentation, real-time data, and AI are reshaping grain logistics and trade facilitation. Pat O’Shannassy, President of the International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC), emphasized that cooperation and predictable, rules-based trade systems are essential to food security. Alejandra Castillo, President & CEO of the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA), praised the global rollout of the e-Phyto system, which has replaced millions of paper phytosanitary certificates with secure digital alternatives. However, Castillo cautioned that without integrated financial systems and broader digital infrastructure, trade efficiency will remain limited.

Rosalind R. Leeck from the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) highlighted the complexity of navigating up to 90 different regulatory environments in global soybean trade and called for more flexible, science-based rules that keep pace with technological innovation. Edwini Kessie, Director of the Agriculture and Commodities Division at the World Trade Organization, reinforced that the multilateral, rules-based trade system remains the backbone of global food security, particularly in volatile markets.

AFRICA’S WHEAT DEMAND SURGE

At the IGC Conference, Vince Peterson, President of U.S. Wheat Associates, delivered a powerful forecast: Africa will become the epicenter of wheat demand growth by 2050. He projected that the continent’s wheat imports could exceed 100 million tonnes annually, far outpacing current infrastructure and trade capacity. 

Experts stressed that Africa’s food security will depend not just on local production but on enhanced port capacity, efficient logistics, and reliable data systems. Ishan Bhanu of Kpler, Watipaso Mkandawire from the UK’s FCDO, and Rose-Souza Richards of the ISF all emphasized that closing Africa’s food gap will require urgent investment in infrastructure, trade harmonization, and digital certification systems like e-Phyto. 

AI IN THE GRAIN VALUE CHAIN

A dedicated AI-focused panel explored the promise and pitfalls of AI in the grain industry. Alexandre Bobylov, Commodities Products and Business Development Manager at EURONEXT, demonstrated how AI is already improving futures markets and post-trade operations. Eddie Tofpik, Head of Technical Analysis & Senior Markets Analyst at ADM Investor Services International, urged caution, warning that AI’s effectiveness is limited by poor-quality public data and that it should be viewed as an assistant, not a replacement for human expertise. Tofpik also warned of AI’s rising energy demands, predicting that power availability will become a bottleneck for future adoption.

Sudhakar Tomar, President, India Middle East Agri Alliance (IMEAA), noted that just 10% of global agricultural trade is digitized, citing the persistence of paper-based systems as a major barrier. Deepak Pareek, Managing Director of HnyB Tech, emphasized the importance of trustworthy, high-quality data to unlock AI’s potential in grain markets. Helena Wright of FAIRR explained how investors are using AI to improve traceability in complex commodity supply chains but stressed the need for human validation to ensure reliability. The panel agreed: meaningful digitalization will require massive investments in data infrastructure, cross-border cooperation, and cultural change.

LOGISTICS AND PORTS: THE NEW FRONTLINE IN GLOBAL GRAIN SECURITY

As global supply chains grow more fragile, port efficiency and smart logistics are becoming critical levers for grain security. Raveen Guliani from DP World Logistics showcased nearly $270 million in Gulf region investments, including new agro terminals and integrated cold chain solutions aimed at bolstering food import resilience.

In a moving account, Nikolay Gorbachov, President of the Ukrainian Grain Association, detailed how Ukraine’s grain sector adapted under siege, opening 28 new terminals along the Danube within months. Gorbachov’s key message: agility comes from empowering the private sector, not overregulating it.

Edward Wood from Global Spatial Technology Solutions introduced Oceania, an AI-powered platform that helps ports and ships dynamically adjust arrival schedules, reducing congestion, fuel consumption, and emissions.

A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION

The IGC 2025 Conference reinforced that safeguarding global grain trade in an era of climate disruption, geopolitical tension, and shifting demand requires urgent, collaborative action:

• Regulatory alignment must support innovation, not stall it.
• Digital solutions must be scaled from field to finance.
• Logistics must be viewed as strategic assets, not just operational necessities.
• Public-private partnerships are essential to build the resilient food systems of tomorrow.