In the United States, food safety has evolved from a regulatory requirement into a strategic priority. Increasing pressure from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), along with rising consumer expectations and growing supply chain complexity, is forcing organizations to rethink how they manage information across operations.

While automation and transportation have advanced significantly, one of the most critical transformations is happening inside warehouses: the ability to digitize and interpret unstructured data.

Every day, millions of food products move through warehouses carrying essential information such as lot numbers, expiration dates, origin details, and PTI (Produce Traceability Initiative) labels.

However, much of this data remains trapped in labels, printed documents, and supplier paperwork. This creates a visibility gap that directly impacts traceability, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Artificial Intelligence-powered Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is addressing this challenge by redefining Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and strengthening food safety across the United States.

The Visibility Challenge in Food Supply Chains

Food supply chains involve multiple stakeholders, each generating data in different formats. This variability creates friction inside warehouses, particularly during receiving and inventory processes.

Manual data entry remains common, increasing the likelihood of errors in lot codes, expiration dates, and compliance documentation. In recall scenarios, these inefficiencies can significantly delay response times and increase financial and operational risks.

Studies in AI-driven supply chains show that the lack of real-time data capture negatively affects logistics performance and inventory accuracy. In a system where safety and speed are critical, limited visibility becomes a systemic risk.

From OCR to Intelligent Data Capture

Traditional OCR systems were limited to text extraction and struggled in dynamic warehouse environments. AI has transformed OCR into an intelligent data capture solution.

Modern AI-powered OCR combines computer vision and machine learning to interpret context, not just text. These systems can identify lot numbers, SKUs, expiration dates, and PTI labels across different formats, adapting to supplier variability and packaging differences.

They also validate data in real time, reducing the risk of errors entering operational systems. This transforms OCR into a key enabler of decision-making within warehouse operations.

Redefining WMS Through AI and OCR

The integration of AI-powered OCR into WMS platforms is shifting warehouses from static storage locations to intelligent operational hubs.

At receiving, OCR enables automatic data capture from labels and documents, ensuring accurate inventory registration from the point of entry. This eliminates manual processes and improves data reliability.

Traceability is significantly enhanced, allowing real-time tracking at the lot level. In the event of a recall, organizations can quickly identify affected products and respond with precision.

OCR also supports expiration management by enabling FEFO (First Expired, First Out) strategies through direct reading of expiration dates. This reduces waste and improves inventory turnover.

Additionally, digital audit trails created through OCR support regulatory compliance, simplifying audits and ensuring alignment with FSMA requirements.

Labor efficiency is another key benefit. By reducing manual data entry, organizations can optimize workforce allocation and improve productivity in environments where labor shortages remain a challenge.

From Concept to Reality: Garland Verify Edge

The impact of AI-powered OCR becomes clear when applied in real operations.

At Garland, we developed Garland Verify Edge, an AI-powered OCR application integrated into shopfloor operations. The system focuses on capturing and validating PTI labels and critical product data in real time.

The solution has been deployed across operations managing over 300,000 cases for major U.S. retailers. This implementation enabled real-time validation at receiving and shipping, reduced labeling errors, improved traceability, and strengthened compliance processes.

Garland Verify Edge demonstrates that OCR is not just a support tool but a core operational capability. By embedding intelligence at the edge, it transforms data capture into actionable insights.

Food Safety as a Data System

Food safety is not only a regulatory function; it is the result of a data-driven system. Accurate data capture, real-time visibility, and end-to-end traceability are essential.

AI-powered OCR strengthens these capabilities by reducing data gaps and improving accuracy. Better visibility also contributes to reducing food waste and improving supply chain efficiency.

As supply chains become more complex, the ability to capture and use data effectively will define operational success.

Challenges and the Path Forward

Despite its advantages, implementing AI-powered OCR requires addressing key challenges. Data variability across suppliers requires continuous model training. Integration with WMS and ERP systems is essential to unlock full value.

Organizations must also invest in training and change management to ensure adoption. Technology alone is not sufficient; processes and teams must evolve together.

The Future of Intelligent Warehousing

The convergence of WMS, AI, and OCR is shaping a new generation of intelligent warehouses. These facilities will act as real-time decision centers, integrating data from multiple sources and enabling predictive capabilities.

Future developments will include integration with IoT devices, advanced analytics, and enhanced traceability solutions. OCR will remain a foundational component of this transformation, enabling the shift toward fully digital supply chain operations.

About the Author

Luis Polo is an Electrical Engineer and Supply Chain and Operations leader with over 15 years of experience in the food industry, including leadership roles at Nestlé, Fonterra, and Garland Food. He is a Senior Member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and a Fellow Member of the British Computer Society (BCS). He holds an MBA, a Master’s in Logistics, and is a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).

He specializes in AI-driven supply chain transformation, developing solutions in OCR, computer vision, demand forecasting, and logistics optimization. During 2025, his AI-driven applications were recognized at the Supply Chain Excellence Awards USA for their impact on visibility, efficiency, and food safety.

He is the author of the books Supply Chain and AI: Transforming Logistics and Operations in the Digital Age and Inventory Variation in Raw Materials in the Food Industry: A Practical and Analytical Approach (2016), published in three editions, along with multiple research publications on AI in food supply chains.

He currently serves as Supply Chain & Operations Manager at Garland and is a professor in the MBA program at South Florida International College (SFIC).

At Garland, we've spent over 30 years tracking every harvest, every trade policy shift, and every supply chain development that affects the garlic and ginger markets. That deep knowledge is what allows us to anticipate change and help our customers stay ahead of it. Here's our read on where things stand right now.

Garlic Market

If you want to understand the global garlic market, there's really only one variable that matters: China. With global production exceeding 29 million tons annually, China accounts for roughly 73% of the world's garlic supply. Every shift in Chinese production, up or down, sends ripples through markets from South America to Europe to the United States.

Beyond raw output, the other major factor is how Chinese garlic moves (or doesn't). Trade barriers like tariffs, import quotas, and in some cases outright restrictions, shape which countries receive Chinese product and at what price. And when those barriers exist, workarounds inevitably emerge. We're currently seeing active market discussion around tariff evasion tactics, including transshipment through third countries, which is creating price distortions that careful buyers need to understand.

The US Market: An Oversupply Story

Right now, the US garlic market is saturated. Multiple supply streams are converging at once: South American garlic in multiple quality tiers continues to flow in significant volumes, Chinese garlic remains present through various import channels, and new crops from Mexico and other origins are approaching harvest and headed to US buyers.

The trend is clear, prices have been declining, and that pressure is expected to continue into the coming months as new harvest volumes hit the market.

A Strategic Window for Contract Buyers

Here's the insight that matters most right now: while spot prices are falling, this is an unusually good moment to lock in contract pricing. Buyers who secure contracts today can benefit from current competitive pricing while protecting themselves against the market's inherent volatility, which historically can swing hard and fast when supply tightens.

At Garland, we source garlic from Argentina, Spain, Mexico, China, and Peru, giving us the flexibility to always offer the right product at the right price point, regardless of where supply disruptions occur.

Ginger Market

The ginger market in 2026 is a tale of two origins, and knowing the difference is critical to smart purchasing.

Peru: Quality Peruvian ginger is tight and expensive right now. Raw material scarcity has pushed prices significantly above recent averages, and that pressure is unlikely to ease until the new crop arrives in the second half of the year. For buyers with flexibility, current spot opportunities may be worth acting on before prices move higher. Once the new crop comes in mid-year, pricing is projected to stabilize and remain comparable to the second half of 2025.

China: Chinese ginger is available and pricing has been stable for the first half of 2026. However, the longer transit times required to reach the US East Coast, and the quality risks that come with extended shipping — require careful planning and supplier selection. Potential quality concerns are expected toward the later part of the current crop cycle, making source vetting especially important.

Garland's Approach

We've built a diversified, resilient ginger supply chain with sourcing from multiple origins, continuously evaluating variety selection, packaging innovation, and transit optimization to maintain quality standards regardless of where market pressure is coming from. Our customers shouldn't have to worry about ginger supply or quality, even when the market gets complicated.

What This Means for Your Business

Markets like these reward preparation and penalize reactive buying. Garlic buyers should consider locking in contract pricing now while downward spot trends create a favorable entry point. Ginger buyers need to be aware of Peru supply tightness in the near term and plan proactively for the second half of the year. And across both categories, quality tiers matter more than ever in a market flooded with mixed-quality supply, Garland's certifications (Kosher, GFSI, USDA Organic, Global GAP) ensure you're getting exactly what you pay for.

Stay Ahead with Garland

This is the kind of market intelligence we bring to every customer relationship. With over 30 years in the business, three production facilities across the US, and sourcing relationships spanning five continents, we don't just react to the market, we help our customers navigate it.

Want the full picture, including specific pricing, volume availability, or a deeper look at how current dynamics affect your product needs? Reach out to our team at moreinfo@garlandfood.net or visit garlandfood.net/contact-us. We'd love to help you make the most of what the market is offering right now.

Garlic is a key ingredient in many food operations, valued for its versatility and consistent performance. In today’s industry, where speed and reliability matter as much as quality, choosing the right garlic format can make a real difference in daily operations.

At Garland Food, we bring over 30 years of experience supplying garlic across the U.S., supported by strategically located facilities in Miami, Plant City, and Pennsauken. Our focus is simple: deliver a dependable supply that adapts to different operational needs.

What makes garlic so valuable is its flexibility. It can be bold and sharp when raw, or smooth and balanced when cooked. That range makes it essential not only for chefs, but also for manufacturers and buyers who need reliable, repeatable flavor profiles.

That’s why format matters. Fresh garlic is ideal when full flavor control is key. Peeled garlic helps teams move faster, reducing prep time without compromising quality. Minced garlic and paste formats support speed and consistency, delivering uniform results in high-demand operations.

Packaging also plays a role. Bulk formats support high-volume operations, while smaller, retail-ready packs make distribution easier and more efficient. Each presentation is designed to fit how the product is actually used.

Simple handling keeps everything performing at its best: fresh garlic stores well in cool, dry spaces, while peeled and processed formats should be refrigerated after opening to maintain freshness and safety.

At Garland Food, we deliver garlic solutions built for efficiency, consistency, and scale—helping food businesses streamline operations and maintain quality across every application.

Learn more at garlandfood.net.