Digital tools for cereal value chain resilience

Global supply chain disruptions pose significant challenges to cereal supply chains in the MENA region, particularly in Egypt and Morocco, affecting both public and private stakeholders. To address these issues, the STAPLES project is developing digital tools designed to enhance monitoring and management, strengthen resilience, and support informed decision-making across the sector.

Review of existing platforms

In the first year, the research team reviewed existing dashboards and data platforms to identify gaps and opportunities for the STAPLES tools. From over 200 initially identified databases, 32 platforms were selected for in-depth analysis.

Platforms were evaluated based on data type (historical vs. real-time), coverage of key variables such as production, trade, prices, and shocks, as well as update frequency, API availability, and geographic/product scope. Special focus was placed on platforms providing timely information on agricultural stress, supply chain disruptions, and trade policy changes. This review informed the technical and functional requirements of the STAPLES Dashboard and DSS, ensuring they build on existing resources without duplication.

Identify gaps in existing tools

The review highlighted key gaps in food system monitoring tools for MENA countries, especially for staple cereals. Few platforms integrate both production and trade data, and most address individual risks—such as price volatility or trade restrictions—without providing a comprehensive early warning system. Existing tools are generally not tailored to staple foods or the regional context.

Given the reliance on both domestic production and imports, an integrated approach is needed to capture shocks across the entire value chain, within the region and among key trading partners.

Early warning systems

An important feature of the STAPLES tools is the integration of early warning systems designed to detect and monitor disruptions affecting cereal supply chains. These systems will track key risks such as production shocks, trade restrictions, conflicts, logistics disruptions, and price volatility, providing timely information on emerging threats. By combining data from multiple sources, STAPLES aims to support stakeholders in anticipating risks, improving preparedness, and strengthening the resilience of cereal value chains across the MENA region.

STAPLES dashboard and Decision Support System

Building on the work carried out in reviewing existing platforms and identifying key gaps, the STAPLES project is developing two tools specifically designed to meet its objectives: the Dashboard and the Decision Support System (DSS).

The STAPLES Dashboard provides historical data and early-warning information on production, trade, prices, and stocks, with customizable views, alerts, and multilingual maps, charts, and tables for easy interpretation.

The Decision Support System (DSS) builds on the Dashboard to deliver context-specific recommendations for stakeholders, including strategies for procurement, storage, and mechanization, integrating STAPLES research and external data to support informed decision-making.

The STAPLES digital tools fill critical gaps in existing monitoring platforms, offering an integrated, regionally focused solution for cereal supply chain management in the MENA region. By combining data visualization with decision support, the Dashboard and DSS empower stakeholders to anticipate risks, respond to disruptions, and make informed decisions, enhancing access to timely, relevant, and actionable information across cereal supply chains.

This article was carried out within the framework of the STAPLES project, part of the PRIMA Programme, supported by the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 2333. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the PRIMA Foundation or the European Union, and neither of them can be held responsible for the information contained.