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food marketing qr code

Placing the QR Code in wine and food products: The complete guide [2023]

Let’s look together at where to put the QR Code on the agrifood product, a key decision that determines who will see our code and at what point in the shopping experience.

Once we have chosen the destination of our QR code in our last blog post, all we have to do is decide where to place it.

We will now look at the differences between the various types of packaging, and how to integrate them with QR codes. We will then take a closer look at the bottle, which is the queen of packaging in Italy and deserves some dedicated notes.

So where do we put this blessed QR code?

Type of packaging

Primary packaging

Primary packaging is the first coating of the product: some examples are the bottle of wine or beer, the can, the package of cookies or pasta. It can be made of paper, cardboard, cardboard, plastic, glass or metal, and usually carries a list of ingredients, expiration date and warning symbols.

This part of the packaging is for the consumer and is crucial in the presentation of the product. In general we should try to use small graphics, space being limited, and reduce any text or instructions to a minimum, a call to action of a few words at most. In this case, QR codes that bring the consumer closer to the product itself as a unit, thus to its history and characteristics, are suitable.

Secondary packaging

Secondary packaging is the next coating, the one that wraps around the primary packaging but does not directly contain the product, for example, the cardboard part of beer packages or medicine boxes.

In this part of the packaging, which is also dedicated to the consumer (except for products intended for the horeca), usually it’s the brand that is the master, and is therefore more suitable for QR codes that lead back to the company’s website, or to social channels, or even to offers and coupons for other products in the same line.

Example of QR code in secondary packaging

In this case, the available space is generally larger, so a larger QR code can be used and detailed instructions for use can also be attached, thus increasing the likelihood of obtaining scans.

Tertiary packaging

Tertiary packaging is the final product container, used for warehouse storage and transportation, such as packaging or corrugated cardboard boxes. In this case, it is likely that the person viewing the QR code is not an individual but a professional, and this should be kept in mind when choosing the destination of the code in question. In fact, in this case it may be more useful to include technical information instead of links to social media and storytelling pages.

Package design

Once we have chosen the target audience for our QR and consequently the type of packaging in which we will place it, we need to decide how to integrate it into the existing package design.

Let’s look at a few different cases in which the degree of freedom we can move with varies, and look for solutions to any problems that might arise.

Customized packaging

In the first case, the answer is simple: ideally, create a new package design that also includes a small space for the code, along with a short sentence inviting the consumer to scan it. This, of course, can only be done if the products in question have yet to be labeled or packaged.

The ideal solution is to integrate the QR code into existing graphics.

Generic or non-editable packaging

If you do not have the ability to change the design of your package, perhaps because you have already sent labels to print, the quickest and easiest alternative is undoubtedly the sticker label. Inexpensive, quick to apply and flashy, the label allows a QR code to be applied to virtually any packaged product.

Product without packaging

Fresh products, such as may be fruits or baked goods, do not allow a QR code to be applied directly. In this case, the best choice is probably to place the code directly in the display, via a plastic or cardboard tag.

For a bulk product, one possible solution is to enter the code in the display

On the front or the back?

The location of the QR depends on what you want to achieve. If your intention is to attract new consumers and increase sales, it is ideal to place the code on the front of the package-this way the code will be seen by people even when the product is displayed on store shelves, and it may intrigue consumers and induce them to choose your product over the competition’s.

If, on the other hand, your intention is to further retain the customers you have already acquired, it will be sufficient to place it on the back of the package, impacting the design less and letting the consumer scan it at a later time, perhaps at home and more leisurely.

QR code on bottles

I would like to spend a few more paragraphs on the use of QR codes in bottles, given the importance of Italian production of products that use this type of packaging, first and foremost wines, spirits and olive oils.

Inserting a QR code into a bottle is not at all simple: there is little space and the surfaces are curved, making it more difficult to scan as you approach the neck of the bottle. Let us analyze the pros and cons of the various possible solutions.

Front label

Putting the QR code on the front label is certainly a move that is as bold as it is functional: the code will probably be scanned by a lot of customers, but the obvious disadvantage will be the aesthetic impact on the bottle. Not recommended if elegance is a cornerstone of your brand.

Back label

Inserting the QR code into the back label is by far the most common and least invasive solution. Usually you can carve out enough space to insert the QR, and you get a good compromise of functionality and aesthetics, as you are not going to affect the front label.

Adhesive

A sticker, with the right choice of colors and materials, can be a good choice. First, it does not require a label reprint, and it can be flexibly placed anywhere on the bottle, even in the neck if it is a very small QR code.

Again, the risk here is to make the overall aesthetics of the bottle less elegant. This is why it is important to choose a sticker whose design is consistent with the rest of the packaging, and to place it in such a way that it does not break the symmetry of the bottle.

Some examples of the stickers used by QualityChain’s clients (from left: Terraliva, Vini Apuani, Olio Borrelli, De Toma Wine)

Lanyard and nameplate

An alternative that does not detract from the original packaging is to have a tag hanging from the neck of the bottle with a lanyard. This solution means that labels and packaging do not need to be redone, but it has a higher cost than the sticker and carries a higher risk of the QR code getting lost during bottle transport.

Cardboard collar

Another possible solution is the use of a cardboard collar, for which largely the same observations made for the previous solution apply. The cardboard structure might look neater and increase the visibility of the QR code, but it is at the same time more prone to folds and tears that could ruin it.

Now what?

Now you have all the knowledge you need to choose the best QR Code placement on your product.

In the next article we will find out together what colors, sizes and materials you should use to maximize the readability and effectiveness of your code.

If this topic interests you and you want to learn more, follow QualityChain on our social channels.

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About QualityChain

QualityChain helps Italian agribusiness SMEs transform their products from simple exhibits to true digital experiences capable of enhancing their uniqueness. QualityChain is a transparent, smartphone-friendly space in which to share with consumers the history and values of small Italian producers, a showcase from which to observe the skilled hands that work the land, the wine, the bread, and everything good that our companies produce.

Do you want to know more about QualityChain?

Visit https://qualitychain.ch or write to us at [email protected]

Categories
food marketing qr code

QR codes for food: comprehensive guide [2023]

Let’s explore all the ways in which QR codes can enrich your communication strategy, whether in manufacturing, catering or services.

In this article we will address what is arguably the most important part of any QR code-based marketing campaign: targeting the code!

What information do we want to provide to the customer? This is where you can indulge: in the next few pages we will explore dozens of ways in which you can use QR codes to enrich your communication strategy.

In this article we will focus on ideas suitable for any business in the agrifood field, and in the future we will publish articles specifically for the restaurant and manufacturing/processing sectors. Follow our linkedin page so you don’t miss them!

QR codes for all palates

Website

The great classic of QR codes! I am willing to bet that if you went rummaging through the shelves of a supermarket, scanning every QR code that came within reach, you would find that nine out of ten (of the working ones) point to the homepage of the manufacturer’s website.

This solution, although in many cases it helps the customer find what they are looking for, denotes a certain lack of imagination: it is a missed opportunity to show something dedicated to the consumer, and that makes sense in the context in which it is located. That said, better than nothing! If you are short on time and care about creating an extra channel to increase traffic to your site, a QR code pointing to it is definitely a good solution.

Ingredients and allergens

One idea would be to present more clearly to the consumer what ingredients, and particularly allergens, are present in your preparation, whether it is a restaurant dish or a retail product. One advantage of QR codes here, especially if they are dynamic QR codes (i.e., whose link can be changed at any time), is the fact that they can be printed at first, perhaps before having the specific information of a certain production batch, and connected later to the information itself.

zego qr code
Zego’s bar, which carries allergen information via a QR code

This is what Zego, a U.S.-based start-up that produces gluten-free bars, has done. The company wanted to provide more specific information on the amounts of allergens found by analysis in individual production batches, but the problem was being able to create packaging in advance without creating production delays. The QR code solved this problem, allowing all their customers to have correct and up-to-date information about the specific product they had purchased.

Of course, this use of the QR Code is subject to the country’s current allergen regulations, and cannot replace the mandatory indication of allergens on the label if it is required by law. Despite this, a QR Code allows it to be supplemented with additional information that may be useful to consumers.

Social media

Another idea would be to use QR codes to drive your customers to your social channels, so they can continue to interact with your brand and your content. You could ask them to take a picture of your product and post it online with your #hashtag, or to re-share one of your posts. This will improve your brand image, increase your visibility on social media and encourage new purchases from your customers.

Coupon

Digital coupons cost less than printed ones! They are also harder to lose, stay safely in the smartphone, ready to use, and are easy to share with friends and family (plus they cannot be thrown on the floor and pollute the environment). If your marketing strategies include special offers, discounts or packages you should definitely consider using QR codes to digitize them. You can put the Coupon-QR in your product or delivery packaging, but also on your menu, on a flyer, or on a window display.

Video and other multimedia content

A QR code is also a great way to share a corporate video with your customers, or an audio to guide them in tasting a dish or wine. This can be achieved very simply by uploading the video or audio to youtube and creating a QR code using the web address of the video.

Packaging and environmental impact

Do you use environmentally sustainable packaging or packaging? A QR code can be a great way to communicate your commitment to environmental advocacy to your customer by explaining what makes your packaging special. In the case of a returnable vacuum you might also provide return instructions or provide other information to raise awareness of the issues you care about.

Now you have some food for thought in the coming days! We will soon publish articles specific to the use of QR codes in food service and agribusiness production. If this topic interests you and you want to learn more, follow QualityChain on our social channels.

LinkedIn

Facebook

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See you anon!

About QualityChain

QualityChain helps Italian agribusiness SMEs transform their products from simple exhibits to true digital experiences capable of enhancing their uniqueness. QualityChain is a transparent, smartphone-friendly space in which to share with consumers the history and values of small Italian producers, a showcase from which to observe the skilled hands that work the land, the wine, the bread, and everything good that our companies produce.

Do you want to know more about QualityChain?

Visit https://qualitychain.ch or write to us at [email protected]

Categories
food marketing qr code

QR Code: 8 ideas for Catering and Agrifood Production [2023]

E-commerce, storytelling and traceability: these are some areas of application of the QR Code in the Horeca and agri-food production and sales sectors.

After last month’s article , in which we looked at various “generic” ways of using the QR Code in the agri-food sector, let us now look together at specific areas of application for the restaurant and manufacturing sector.

Production

Let’s start with some case studies in the area of production and sale, mainly retail but also wholesale, of branded agri-food products.

E-commerce links

Your product is your ambassador in the customer’s home: it allows you to talk to him even after the purchase, and perhaps prompt him to visit your online shop. A QR code that leads back to your e-commerce can increase the likelihood that consumers will buy your product again. Did the customer try your bottle of wine in the restaurant? One scan can easily turn into the online purchase of an entire case! QR code allows you to leverage your packaging and maximize its yield from the beginning to the end of the shopping experience.

Recipes and instructions

You know those recipes written in microscopic letters on pasta packages? A QR code can be used to share well-read recipes filled with images, explanatory videos and even comments from other users. And this is true for any agri-food product, from pasta to liquor: you would be surprised at the number of people who daily google the recipe for spritz!

Storytelling

A product is much more than a label. Behind each package is a world of people, history, traditions and production methods that are not told to the consumer, and that today thanks to QR codes can instead be shared and fully appreciated.

How to do it? The most direct method is to find a graphic designer, a developer and create an ad hoc web page on your site. You fill it with whatever you can think of, connect it to the QR, and you’re done.

developer and designer work on qr code webpage

Don’t you have a developer and a graphic designer? Maybe you can get away with this: create a pdf with the same information, ask your webmaster to upload it to your site and link it to your QR code, an inelegant but totally functional solution.

qr code linked to pdf

You don’t even have a webmaster, or don’t want to settle for a rough solution? Here you will have to forgive me a bit of self-publicity as QualityChain, the company I co-founded, deals with this very issue.

QualityChain is a tool that allows manufacturers to easily and inexpensively create a fantastic product page linked to a QR, paying only a small subscription within the reach of any company, even the smallest.

qualitychain beautiful QR codes

The whole experience is designed to be as simple as possible for the producer, requiring only a few minutes and a lot of love for their product. We are currently offering a one-month free trial, so if you are interested please contact us as soon as possible on our website or on our social media and we will help you figure out if QualityChain is right for you.

That said, no matter which route you decide to take to tell people about your product, the important thing is to do so, informing the consumer about what makes it special and empowering them to make an informed choice in their next purchase.

Traceability

The next topic we address is traceability, as QR code turns out to be a key technology in the Sharing information about the supply chain with the consumer. Using a QR code from the beginning to the end of the production process, it is in fact possible to record the entire history of the individual production batch (or even the individual product). In fact, recall that QRs originated to track parts of Toyota automobiles, so they are naturally perfect for this type of application.

supply chain

In terms of industry standards, it is good to know that GS1, the non-profit association dedicated to the development and implementation of standards worldwide, has developed a standard for the use of the QR code. Due to the technical nature of the standard I will not go into too much detail on this, and for those interested I will just offer some useful resources: at this link you will find a technical presentation of the standard, while here you can find a complete list of GS1 identifiers.

At this point it is worth mentioning blockchain technology, which is increasingly being used to make indelible the information recorded by producers, in effect holding them accountable to their consumers. Unlike a regular website that can change overnight, a blockchain record is “carved in stone,” any change leaves a trace, and this doubles the producer’s focus on what it says about its product.

blockchain traceability

This feature naturally makes it perfect for recording traceability data, which is why many software programs (including QualityChain) have sprung up. Who do just that. If you want to know more about blockchain traceability, I refer you to this blog post, which explains in more detail the various types of services available in this area.

Catering

Let’s now turn to the world of catering and Horeca more generally, and see some solutions that can help you make your customers’ experience better through the use of QR codes.

Digital menu

No doubt you have already had experience with this QR code application: because of the pandemic, many restaurateurs have replaced physical menus with digital menus, which can be accessed from tables via specially designed QR codes. This solution, despite lacking the appeal of the previous one, has proven to be very useful in preventing the spread of the virus, and is now a very common choice in the industry.

digital menu

But we must be optimistic, and look forward to a tomorrow when our elaborate paper menus can return to restaurant tables. In that case, what can be done with QR codes? One idea might be to include a QR code for each dish, linking it to a page that describes its characteristics in depth, with professional photographs that will make your customer’s mouth water.

WiFi network

Sick of customers asking for the WiFi password every five minutes? You know when they say, “I typed it right but it doesn’t work,” and they didn’t actually get a letter right? A QR code can save your network login credentials-put one in each table and you’re done.

wifi, google mybusiness, booking.com, tripadvisor logos
Reviews

You can use a QR code to prompt your customers to give you a rating on a rating site, such as TripAdvisor or Google Business. A link to your page will significantly increase the chance of a review, and consequently your online visibility.

Home entertainment

Your venue is famous for live music, but do your customers also like to order in? You could record an empty venue band concert, upload it to YouTube and link it to a QR code in your delivery packaging. This way your most loyal customers can enjoy some of your classic atmosphere right on their couch.

showcase with qr code
Information when the activity is closed

You could place a QR code on your storefront or shutter so that when the business is closed, passersby can find out information about hours, reopening dates, and how to contact you while your business is closed.

Conclusion

You will have realized that there is no shortage of ways to use this technology-it is now up to you to find the most original and effective idea to improve your company’s communication.

If this topic interests you and you want to learn more, follow QualityChain on our social channels.

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

See you anon!

About QualityChain

QualityChain helps Italian agribusiness SMEs transform their products from simple exhibits to true digital experiences capable of enhancing their uniqueness. QualityChain is a transparent, smartphone-friendly space in which to share with consumers the history and values of small Italian producers, a showcase from which to observe the skilled hands that work the land, the wine, the bread, and everything good that our companies produce.

Do you want to know more about QualityChain?

Visit https://qualitychain.ch or write to us at [email protected]

Categories
blockchain food

Lefiole winery talks about its wines with QualityChain

Two sisters, an extraordinary territory and a century-long family tradition-these are the ingredients of the story we decided to tell with QualityChain.

The story begins in the 1920s. Grandfather Guglielmo returns from Argentina and decides to put down roots in Montalto Pavese, the land of his ancestors, where he buys the first acres of land.

Oltrepò Pavese is an incredible land crossed by the 45th parallel, the ideal latitude of all the world’s great wines. Here plains, hills and mountains embrace in a breathtaking panorama dotted with castles and ancient villages. Taking pride of place among these hills is the vine, which for centuries has given richness to the area and given birth to some of the most important wines of the entire Italian production.

panorama oltrepò pavese ancient wines
The Oltrepò Pavese landscape and the bottles produced by Guglielmo Piaggi.

It is precisely to the vine that Guglielmo Piaggi dedicates his life, and after him his son, Enzo, who from his fourteenth birthday to the present has never stopped working and taking care of the vineyard, first with his father and then with his wife Angela and daughters, Elisa e Silvia.

Elisa and Silvia Piaggi in the grapevine of Lefiole

It was they, in 2017, who decided to put a face and a name to the production. The Lefiole brand was born, an affectionate expression that in the Oltrepadana language indicates girls, and which today identifies the wines that are produced on their estate in Montalto Pavese.

The first is called Alené, from the fusion of mom Angela and dad Enzo’s names, and is a Pinot Noir. This grape variety, among the noblest internationally, originated in Burgundy but has found a second home in Oltrepò Pavese for nearly two centuries. 

The second, Elivià named after Elisa and Silvia, is a Pinot Grigio, with a straw-yellow color and copper highlights.

Elisa and Silvia Piaggi taste Elivià and Alené

The stories of both wines are now told and made indelible thanks to QualityChain, which uses blockchain technology (explained easily here) to make information secure and always verifiable by consumers.

Wines tracked on QualityChain blockchain by Lefiole winery.

In fact, it will be possible, by scanning the goblet-shaped QR code hanging on the bottle, to discover the history, values and production techniques behind these wines of excellence, and to verify them through the appropriate blockchain test. All within the reach of a smartphone, using only the camera, in the case of iPhones, or aQR scanning App in the case of an Android device.

Alené and Elivià bottles equipped with this technology will now be marketed through a variety of channels, from direct sales to restaurants, wine shops and online channels, and will allow new consumers to know every detail of the wine they pour into their glass

About QualityChain

QualityChain helps Italian agribusiness SMEs transform their products from simple exhibits to true digital experiences capable of enhancing their uniqueness. QualityChain is a transparent, smartphone-friendly space in which to share with consumers the history and values of small Italian producers, a showcase from which to observe the skilled hands that work the land, the wine, the bread, and everything good that our companies produce.

Do you want to know more about QualityChain?

Visit https://qualitychain.ch or write to us at [email protected]

Categories
blockchain food technology

Agrifood tracebility with Blockchain: how to do it, what it takes, how much it costs [2021]

Have you happened to see those strange labels in the wine shop or supermarket that say“product tracked on blockchain,” and you want to know more?

You are in the right place!

In this article we will address in order:

  1. What blockchain traceability means
  2. What types of traceability exist
  3. How you can track your products
  4. How much blockchain traceability costs

Blockchain traceability: what it is and what it is for

What is the difference between normal traceability and blockchain traceability?

The difference lies in the way the data is saved: in the second case, in fact, all the information about the product is saved precisely on a blockchain, a special computer network that makes the data essentially immune to counterfeiting(at this link you can find blockchain explained easy easy).

blockchain for food traceability
Blockchain makes it possible to secure information about a product’s supply chain.

This is obviously very important for the consumer, because it allows him or her to know without a shadow of a doubt the history of what he or she is eating or drinking.

In fact, this information is then made accessible through various technologies (which we address later in the article), such as the QR code, which allows the product’s history to always be within reach of the smartphone

A story carved in (digital) stone

Tracking on blockchain means to say:

“Here, this is my product and how I made it, I’ll write it down and sign it for you, in fact, I want it carved in stone!”

A responsible producer

It therefore means taking full responsibility for one’s supply chain in front of consumers, creating the highest degree of transparency and trust allowed by our technologies.

A manufacturer that tracks on blockchain stands out from others because of its focus not only on selling, but also and especially on informing and educating about product quality.

From producer to consumer: QR code and RFID

There are various technologies that allow consumers to access information provided by manufacturers, but the most widely used are definitely QR codes and RFID tags.

What are QR codes? They are those square, pixelated images that we see more and more often on the Internet or around our cities. These codes can be scanned from your smartphone via the camera on iPhones or via special apps on Android phones.

examples qr codes
QR codes are becoming increasingly common in our stores and supermarkets.

When you scan a QR code, your phone obtains text information, usually the address of a site, to which you can link to receive information about the object you are scanning: in the case of an agri-food product, you might be taken to the web page that tells its story.

What about RFID tags? Just like QR codes, RFID tags transmit an information to your cell phone, but they do so with radio waves: to read them you have to pass your phone over them with the NFC option enabled.

What types of traceability exist?

Let’s start by saying that there is not so much a one-size-fits-all solution for blockchain traceability as there is a set of different solutions that are more or less suitable for various production processes and company size.

For example, as a manufacturer you might choose to track only parts of your supply chain that you perhaps consider most important for the purposes of communicating the quality of your product, or you might choose to track every detail of product production and logistics, from raw material to distribution.

There are also differences in the types of data that are recorded and the technologies used to collect them: larger manufacturers connected to large retailers may decide to Use sensors, drones and other IoT devices, while a small producer might choose to log manually the information that it considers most important.

For simplicity we distinguish into three types:

1. First-level traceability: the micro enterprise

Small business owners often lack the financial means to invest in a complex system of sensors and IoT devices. This is why more and more manufacturers are turning to much cheaper“first-tier” solutions where data entry is left to the manufacturer and its operators.

This can be done in two ways: the first is self-certification of a “supply chain storytelling”, that is, a description of the ways in which the product is processed: a winemaker might record the characteristics of the soil and vineyard, a cheesemaker might focus on the curdling temperature and the grafts used, or even the cashmere manufacturer might highlight the careful selection of fibers used. This collection of information is prepared by the producer and then recorded using blockchain technology.

The second is the self-certification of true traceability: as the product is processed, the producer enters key information about the individual supply chain step, such as date and mode of processing, into the system and records it in real time on the blockchain database.

scanning taleggio traced on blockchain
Example of a product tracked on blockchain.

This type of traceability is not so much geared toward actual individual lot traceability (for product recalls, for example), but rather toward achieving more transparent communication with the consumer-that is why it is often considered a form of storytelling rather than traceability in the traditional sense.

2. Second-level traceability: the medium-sized enterprise

A larger company might decide to invest in a complete IoT sensor system. In this case, the producer can choose between two options for recording information: integration with enterprise software or manual entry.

The former option is certainly more reliable than the former, as the collected data goes directly from the source to the blockchain, with less risk of information tampering. However, it is also the most capital-intensive upfront, because it requires full integration of the chosen blockchain platform with the software the company already uses for data collection and tracking.

sensors and drones for blockchain agriculture
Drones and sensors are widely used for blockchain tracking systems.

Unfortunately, many of these applications do not provide the ability to export directly to other programs, so these integrations can be quite complex and expensive, even for a medium-sized company.

The second option, manual input, on the other hand, requires the work of an employee to copy the data from the sensors and register it on the blockchain. Although this solution saves on the initial investment, it comes with a sacrifice in terms of security, as the transition from sensors to blockchain goes through human intervention.

3. Third-level traceability: the large-scale retail trade.

We definitely find the most complex blockchain traceability systems in large-scale retail: large food groups have highly articulated supply chains, involving numerous producers, processors and service providers, and producing very large quantities of batches of each product.

In this scenario the ability to accurately trace the history of foodstuffs turns out to be even more important, with or without blockchain: however, this technology gives the assurance that the recorded information is not changed, and that there is no room for interpretation in attributing errors to one or the other part of the production chain.

What does it take to implement blockchain traceability?

It all depends on which path you want to choose: to achieve complete blockchain traceability (second and third levels) you will need to place sensors at critical points in your supply chain, and integrate your systems with blockchain software that creates the records.

If, on the other hand, you opt for first-level traceability, you are most likely ready to go! The first thing you need to do is to identify everything that makes your product special: your territory, the processes you use, your focus on not using harmful substances in processing… Anything that can set you apart from the competition and communicate the quality of your product.

uniqueness of the blockchain product
There are many things that can make a product unique.

Once you have defined the story of your product, you can find photos and videos that can also visually communicate your company’s values. You can show the various stages of processing, your factories, but also, most importantly, your people, so that the consumer can put a face to your product and strengthen his or her trust in your brand.

When you have collected all the information you just need to find a service or company to help you register it on the blockchain, and provide you with the QR code to insert on your packaging. This can be done in the label, with a slight change in design, or directly by applying an additional sticker on the package.

How much does it cost to track products on the blockchain?

It is difficult to set an a priori price on this type of software.

The cost depends largely on your requirements: the type of tracking you want, the number of products you want to track and the detail you have to achieve, and whether you already have or want to install an IoT sensor system.

This technology is very advanced, and companies in this area often create products tailored to the individual manufacturer.

There are exceptions: QualityChain for example offers an annual subscription starting at €1’500, with no upfront costs, while others, such as IBM Food Trust and Foodchain, have opted for a combination of upfront installation cost and annual fee.

Other companies, such as TE-FOOD, EZ Lab, FoodLogiQ, Ambrosus, and ValueGO, on the other hand, are more focused on the custom model, creating ad hoc projects and evaluating implementation costs on a case-by-case basis.

Conclusions

We are at a key moment in the adoption of this technology in the Food&Drink industry. If you choose to be one of the first to track your products on blockchain, there is no question that you will stand out in the crowd, particularly in an industry that is often as uninnovative as agribusiness. A “tracked on blockchain” stamp attracts the consumer’s eye, of that there is no doubt.

But we need to look further. We are moving toward a world where this kind of technology will become the norm, where all products will be tracked on blockchain, where consumer trust will already be cemented on new brands, new flavors.

According to many, now is precisely the right time to start building this confidence, for small business as well as large, and it is the time to go the extra mile and position yourself as an innovator and pioneer in the industry .

[Articolo aggiornato il 4 Marzo 2021]