From Floods to Freshness: Why Marketplace Agility Matters in Agri-Trade

by Miguel Giraldo, Operations Director LATAM

In early July, I saw firsthand how flooding in Huila, Colombia disrupted lime supply. Heavy rains swept through the southwest, damaging harvests and slowing down operations for what was supposed to be a smooth trade from Colombia to Spain. For buyers who depend on consistent shipments, this is the nightmare scenario. One unexpected weather event can trigger delays, cancellations, and disputes, and ultimately put end-customer trust at risk.

Image of flooding in Huila, Colombia in July 2025

This experience reminded me why marketplace agility is so important in agritrade. For me, marketplace agility means the ability to adapt instantly to disruptions without sacrificing quality or trust. When supply falters, it is not only about missing product. Disruptions can damage long-term relationships, increase costs, and create disputes that ripple through the value chain. Agility is not just about finding a replacement supplier at the last minute. It is about sourcing verified alternatives quickly, with the confidence that quality and reliability are intact.

The floods in Huila had a direct impact on the lime crop. Fruit that was supposed to be export-ready came out with serious defects: fumagina (sooty mold) coating the skin, light green or yellow coloring instead of uniform green, oleocellosis (oil spotting) from stressed fruit, and uneven ripening that made packing inconsistent. These issues forced delays and even cancellations of shipments. Without early visibility, the buyer in Spain would have been exposed to costly losses and dissatisfied customers.

Images of lime defects as a result of the flooding

In this situation, we quickly explored alternatives to protect the buyer’s order. Mexico became a potential backup origin, with limes available directly from the fields. Timing, verification, and strong relationships were critical in even being able to consider this pivot. As a case study, it shows how being prepared and agile provides options that safeguard supply and maintain buyer trust, even when the original trade is disrupted.

Looking back, this pivot was only possible to explore because of real-time visibility. Carton-level traceability flagged quality issues early before they left the packhouse. Monitoring packing progress in real time alerted us to slowdowns even before the grower officially raised it. That gave us a head start in considering alternatives, avoiding further disruption. For me, this is not about selling technology. It is about showing how the right tools make agility real and measurable. Without visibility, there is no way to react fast enough.

The lesson here is simple: weather disruptions are inevitable, but visibility plus agility equals protection of both supply and relationships. For me, this experience reinforced why agility is no longer optional in agritrade. It is essential.

For supermarkets and distributors, agility and visibility are not abstract concepts — they directly protect your supply, your margins, and your customers. That is why DiMuto’s Marketplace exists: to connect you with traceable, trusted brands like SoLumi Fresh, DiLumi Fresh, Sazzy Fresh, and more. Behind these brands is our technology, ensuring every carton can be traced, verified, and delivered with confidence. Learn more about how the DiMuto Marketplace helps you secure supply from reliable brands, powered by real visibility: https://dimuto.io/produce/