Cargill has been named a Top 10 Innovator in the 2026 BIG Innovation Awards by the Business Intelligence Group, recognizing its large-scale, data- and AI-driven innovations that advance food security, operational excellence, and resilient food systems. The honor places Cargill among 159 leading organizations, products, and leaders transforming industries through measurable, real-world impact. The company was recognized in the Innovative Organizations category for its disciplined, technology-powered approach to addressing global challenges in agriculture and food supply chains. Cargill’s innovation strategy integrates automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics across its global operations. These technologies are driving tangible results: the CarVe computer vision system has reduced food waste, the Port Optimizer initiative delivered a 30x return on investment, manufacturing analytics generated over $15 million in benefits, and vessel optimization and energy upgrades helped cut 31,500 metric tons of CO₂ emissions in 2024. Florian Schattenmann, Cargill’s chief technology officer, emphasized that innovation at the company is not about chasing trends but responding to real-world needs. “By embedding AI and advanced analytics in our operations, we are reimagining the way food is made and moved across the globe,” he said. “This recognition reflects the ingenuity of our teams and the power of innovation to build a more resilient and efficient food system for the future.” The BIG Innovation Awards judges praised Cargill for executing “serious, large-scale innovation with discipline, deeply embedded in real operations.” They highlighted the company’s comprehensive, cross-functional approach that spans multiple technologies and business units, supported by robust data and quantifiable outcomes. Russ Fordyce, Chief Recognition Officer at the Business Intelligence Group, noted that true innovation today is not about buzzwords but about building intelligent platforms, automating workflows with purpose, and embedding trust, privacy, and resilience into every breakthrough. “These organizations are not just keeping pace with change—they are shaping the future of global business,” he said. The 2026 awards honor innovators across sectors including health, finance, logistics, manufacturing, and enterprise technology. Winners were selected by a panel of experienced business leaders based on measurable performance, responsible implementation, and future-oriented impact. Cargill, a 160-year-old family-owned company with over 155,000 employees, operates at the heart of the global food and agriculture supply chain. It partners with farmers and customers to source, produce, and deliver essential products while advancing sustainability, safety, and responsibility. The company continues to invest in innovation that supports long-term food security and environmental stewardship. The recognition underscores a growing trend: large corporations are leveraging AI and data not just for efficiency, but as strategic tools to solve systemic challenges in food systems. Cargill’s success demonstrates how technology, when applied responsibly and systematically, can deliver both economic and environmental benefits at scale. As AI and data analytics become central to industrial transformation, Cargill’s approach offers a model for how innovation can be both scalable and sustainable. The company’s achievements highlight the potential for technology to drive progress in one of the world’s most critical sectors—food—while maintaining ethical standards and long-term value creation. For more information on the 2026 BIG Innovation Awards and the full list of winners, visit www.bintelligence.com/posts/2026-big-innovation-awards-159-trailblazers-prove-where-innovation-is-really-happening.