Barbara Guignard of Efficio shares insights into supply chain resilience in the food and beverage sector 

To begin, could you share details of your career history and how you came to be in your current position? 

I joined Efficio in 2008 and have over 16 years of experience in procurement and supply chain consulting, working with global businesses to help them optimize costs, strengthen supplier relationships, mitigate risks, and improve operational efficiency. My experience spans multiple industries, including food and beverage, where I have helped companies navigate sourcing complexities, enhance supplier resilience, and manage cost volatility.  

What does your current role entail? 

​In my role at Efficio, I collaborate with clients to develop and implement procurement strategies that enhance supply chain resilience and cost efficiency. This involves identifying and integrating new suppliers, optimizing category management, and navigating disruptions—particularly in the food industry, where supply chains are highly sensitive to external shocks like extreme weather events, geopolitical instability, and shifting consumer demands.​ 

Efficio’s approach focuses on transforming procurement and supply chain complexities into opportunities, delivering rapid results that drive sustained improvements. Our services include cost optimization, procurement excellence, supply chain management, and sustainability and ESG; all aimed at building resilient and adaptable supply chains.  

In an era of food chain disruption, what are the key lessons businesses should take away from recent crises like Hurricane Milton? 

The biggest lesson is building long-term supply chain resilience, not just reacting to crises. Hurricane Milton reinforced the importance of: 

• Diversification of suppliers and geographies: Relying on a single source for key food ingredients (such as cocoa, wheat, or dairy) increases risk. 

• Stronger supplier collaboration: Close relationships with suppliers improve transparency and help secure supply during crises. 

• Agile procurement strategies: Companies that embed flexibility in contracts (e.g., volume flexibility and dual sourcing) can pivot faster when disruptions occur. 

• Real-time data and AI for predictive analysis: Businesses that leverage predictive analytics can anticipate disruptions rather than react to them. This, however, requires an upfront investment that not all companies can afford.

How can companies effectively identify and integrate new suppliers into their operations to reduce risk? 

To strengthen supply chains, companies should: 

• Diversify their supply base: Avoid over-reliance on a single supplier by building multiple sourcing options across regions. 

• For key categories, engage in a more collaborative approach with suppliers: once trust is there, move beyond transactional relationships by engaging in more collaborative initiatives including flexibility in contract, open book or joint risk management. 

• Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment: Before engaging with a new supplier, evaluate financial stability, geopolitical risks, and sustainability commitments.  

• Digital integration: Data is key. Ensure the right level of reporting and tracking is established with the supplier from the beginning so that data can be leveraged to optimize costs and supply chain operations.

What best practices have you seen for managing consumer expectations during supply disruptions? 

Companies that manage consumer trust well during food supply disruptions typically focus on: 

• First and foremost, transparency and proactive communication: Explaining shortages clearly and outlining steps taken to resolve them. 

• Reformulation and innovation: Substituting alternative ingredients without compromising product quality. This can be done over time to ensure consumers do not taste any difference. 

• Proposing alternatives in flavors or ingredients and pushing the right marketing and promotions to the alternative products that do not face supply shortage. 

• Customer engagement strategies: Offering alternative promotions, discounts, or loyalty rewards to retain consumer confidence.

Many companies are relocating production to mitigate climate risks. What factors should businesses consider when deciding whether to shift their supply base? 

As we know, things can change very quickly and it’s difficult to forecast disruptions in the world of the supply chain. However, when relocating, a company can consider:  

• Climate vulnerability assessment and history: Mapping risks (e.g., droughts and floods) across current and potential sourcing locations.  

• Political stability of the country. 

• Regulatory landscape and trade policies: Considering tariffs, food safety laws, and sustainability regulations.  

• Infrastructure and logistics costs: Evaluating proximity to processing plants and major markets.  

• Workforce and skill availability: Ensuring that relocation doesn’t impact operational efficiency due to labor shortages.

Regenerative agriculture is gaining traction as a sustainable solution. What are the biggest barriers to widespread adoption, and how can companies overcome them? 

Barriers to adoption: 

• Investment needed: Small and mid-sized farmers may lack funds to shift to regenerative practices as it may require material, new planting, or time for the new crops to grow.  

• Lack of incentives: Many food producers focus on short-term costs rather than long-term soil health because of pressure on productivity. 

• Knowledge gaps and training needs: Many farmers are unfamiliar with regenerative techniques. 

Solutions: 

Typically, we see big groups investing in regenerative agriculture (Nestlé for example) and they can help smaller size companies: 

• Financial incentives and long-term contracts: Large companies can provide subsidies, funding, or price premiums to incentivize transition. 

• Education and training programs: Investing in knowledge-sharing and learning. 

• Consumer awareness and market demand: If consumers value sustainability, companies can justify premium pricing, making regenerative practices commercially viable.

Cocoa prices have surged due to climate-related issues, particularly in West Africa. How do you see this crisis compared to past supply chain disruptions? 

This cocoa crisis is more severe than past disruptions because it is driven by structural, long-term issues rather than temporary supply shocks. 

1. Climate change (such as droughts and rising temperatures) is reducing yields. 

1. Deforestation and declining soil quality are making cocoa farming unsustainable. 

1. Supply chain volatility is forcing companies to rethink sourcing strategies. 

Unlike past price spikes, this crisis won’t resolve quickly—companies must adapt sourcing strategies, invest in sustainability, and explore alternative ingredients.  

Major chocolate producers have invested in sustainability programs like regenerative agriculture. How effective are these efforts in securing future cocoa supply? 

Sustainability programs are a step in the right direction, but their effectiveness depends on: 

• Farmer engagement: Long-term investments in training, technology, and financial incentives. 

• Supply chain transparency: Ensuring sustainability claims align with on-the-ground realities. 

• Scalability: If only a fraction of farms adopts regenerative practices, supply issues will persist. 

Sustainability investments need to be deep and long-term, not just PR-driven initiatives.  

Looking ahead, do you foresee companies needing to reformulate products or introduce alternative ingredients to manage the rising costs of chocolate? 

Yes, and some have started already. Companies will likely adapt in several ways: 

• Ingredient reformulation: Using alternatives like carob, cocoa substitutes, or synthetic cocoa to offset costs. 

• Portfolio adjustments: Reducing cocoa content in mass-market products while maintaining premium offerings. 

• Smaller pack sizes or price adjustments: To maintain margins without drastic consumer impact. 

The key challenge will be balancing cost pressures with consumer expectations on taste, quality, and ethical sourcing.  

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