By Lourens Pieterse, Head of Sales, Bühler Southern Africa
Across Southern Africa, food supply chains are operating under increasing strain. Climate volatility, infrastructure constraints, energy instability, rising input costs, and exposure to global trade disruptions are no longer exceptional pressures; they are part of the everyday operating environment. In this context, resilience has become just as important as efficiency in ensuring long-term food security. Reliable equipment, smart automation, real-time monitoring, strong customer support, and skilled local talent play a critical role in building a more sustainable and dependable food value chain.
For decades, food systems were built to maximise efficiency, scale, and affordability. Today, climate-related disruptions, energy shocks, and market volatility are exposing the structural fragilities of that model, which is the assumption of relatively stable climate conditions, predictable energy supplies, and reliable global trade. To remain resilient and competitive, these systems must be redesigned. Grain systems – from agriculture through silo storage to processing – sit at the core of this shift, as they shape how shocks propagate – or are contained – across the food system.
In volatile environments, milling and food processing are not simply industrial functions; they are critical infrastructure for food security. By converting raw agricultural commodities into safe, storable, and transportable food, food system producers form the backbone of reliable food availability. Effective processing reduces post-harvest losses, extends shelf life, and ensures consistent quality, even when agricultural production or weather patterns are unpredictable.
Strengthening resilience across the milling value chain requires a system-wide approach. Modern, reliable equipment is essential. Predictive monitoring to prevent unplanned downtime, improved storage to safeguard grain quality, and robust logistics are equally critical, as they contribute to operational stability. Just as important is investing in local expertise through continuous training and closer collaboration among farmers, processors, and other supply chain partners. Together, these measures enable mills to maintain safe, consistent food production – even amid external disruption.
Reliable equipment, automation and process optimisation
Innovation only strengthens resilience if it is adapted to local realities. In regions facing persistent energy and infrastructure constraints, solutions must be practical, robust, and designed for operating conditions on the ground. Energy-efficient equipment helps sustain output during power disruptions, while modular and scalable processing systems allow capacity to adjust as conditions change. Robust storage infrastructure protects raw materials and finished products, and digital tools built to function with limited connectivity ensure technology enhances resilience rather than introducing new vulnerabilities.
Energy efficiency, automation, and process optimisation are therefore directly linked to food security outcomes. Bühler’s energy-efficient grinding and processing technologies, combined with automated process control and digital monitoring solutions, help reduce operating costs and energy demand while maintaining consistent throughput. Advanced automation and quality control systems support food safety and product consistency, while data-driven optimisation of workflows and predictive maintenance services minimise waste and unplanned downtime. Together, these solutions help ensure that food production remains stable and reliable, even in challenging operating environments.
Sustainability as a central component
Sustainability is not an abstract environmental objective; it is a prerequisite for stable food production. Reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring safe, high-quality output directly affect the availability and affordability of food. When combined with local training and technical support, sustainable solutions strengthen food systems and contribute to long-term food security.
Critical aspects such as fortification, food safety, and waste reduction are sometimes overlooked in discussions about resilience, yet they are fundamental to building a stable and nutritious food system. Across Africa, Bühler has supported food fortification initiatives in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, working with millers, governments, and development partners to integrate precise dosing, mixing, and quality control solutions into maize and wheat milling. These efforts help staple foods deliver essential micronutrients at scale.
Close to customers
Local presence and regional expertise are vital in turning these principles into practice. This includes customer service, maintenance, and close collaboration with local teams. Understanding local challenges, responding quickly to operational issues, and tailoring solutions to specific conditions all depend on being embedded in the region.
Being close to customers also depends on people. Local presence and regional expertise are built by investing in talent – developing the skills needed to operate, maintain, and continuously improve complex food-processing systems under local conditions. This is why Bühler’s strategy places strong emphasis on training and upskilling local teams, ensuring that technical expertise, operational know-how, and service capabilities are available where they are needed most.
By building talent in the regions it serves, Bühler strengthens customer support, accelerates problem-solving, and therefore contribute to reinforcing the long-term resilience of local food systems. One example of such approach is the African Milling School in Nairobi, Kenya. Since 2015, the African Milling School has trained more than 1 600 millers from over 30 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and India.
Collaboration across the wider ecosystem
Collaboration across the wider ecosystem is equally important. Partnerships between industry, government, and communities bring together expertise, resources, and coordination. Such collaboration enables better planning, shared infrastructure, and joint initiatives that reduce risk and improve efficiency, contributing to a consistent and safe food supply across Southern Africa.
Looking ahead, there are clear practical steps that can be taken now to prepare for future disruption. Investment in modern, reliable equipment, digital monitoring, and energy-efficient technologies will be critical. Strengthening storage and logistics, developing local skills, and fostering closer collaboration across the food system will further enhance resilience.
By taking these steps, the region’s food and milling industries can build supply chains that are better equipped to withstand climate, market, and infrastructure challenges, supporting long-term food security for Southern Africa. Bühler teams are ready to support this transition with local expertise and long-term partnerships across the region.
Media contacts:
Taryn Browne, Head of Marketing, Southern Africa
Bühler (Pty) Ltd.
Bühler Southern Africa
Phone: +27 11 801 3500
Mobile: +27 66 307 4618
E-mail: taryn.browne@buhlergroup.com
Dalen Jacomino Panto, Media Relations Manager
Bühler AG, 9240 Uzwil, Switzerland
Phone: +41 71 955 37 57
Mobile: +41 79 900 53 88
E-mail: dalen.jacomino_panto@buhlergroup.com
Katja Hartmann, Media Relations Manager
Bühler AG, 9240 Uzwil, Schweiz
Mobile: +41 79 483 68 07
E-mail: katja.hartmann@buhlergroup.com
About Bühler
Bühler is driven by its purpose of creating innovations for a better world, balancing the needs of economy, humanity, and nature in all its decision-making processes. Billions of people come into contact with Bühler technologies as they cover their basic needs for food and mobility every day. Two billion people each day enjoy foods produced on Bühler equipment; and one billion people travel in vehicles manufactured using parts produced with Bühler solutions. Countless people wear eyeglasses, use smart phones, and read newspapers and magazines – all of which depend on Bühler process technologies and solutions. Having this global relevance, Bühler is in a unique position to turn today’s global challenges into sustainable business.
As a technology partner for the food, feed, and mobility industries, Bühler has committed to having solutions ready to multiply by 2025 that reduce energy, waste, and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers. It also proactively collaborates with suppliers to reduce climate impacts throughout the value chain. In its own operations, Bühler has developed a pathway to achieve a 60% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scopes 1 & 2, against a 2019 baseline).
Bühler spends up to 5% of turnover on research and development annually to improve both the commercial and sustainability performance of its solutions, products, and services. In 2024, some 12,350 employees generated a turnover of CHF 3.0 billion. As a Swiss family-owned company with a history spanning 165 years, Bühler is active in over 140 countries around the world and operates a global network of 105 service stations, 31 manufacturing sites, and research and training centers in 26 locations.
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