Planning for 2026 and Beyond: Insights from the AgriBusiness Global Trade Summit

By Managing Director Aaron Locker

At the recent AgriBusiness Global Trade Summit in Lake Buena Vista, conversations buzzed with cautious optimism. Despite prevailing uncertainty, many are finding 2025 to be a solid year with inventory challenges largely behind them and strategic planning for 2026 in full swing. But as leaders look ahead, one reality is clear: this is a window of opportunity to rethink leadership and talent before the market shifts again.

What’s Shaping 2026 Strategy

While commodity prices remain soft, many companies are back on stable footing. That stability is fueling deeper strategic conversations, not only about products and markets, but also about the people needed to execute.

• The pendulum is swinging: Some leaders still see an employer-driven market, but others are already experiencing a more balanced playing field. With retirements and talent gaps emerging, competition for strong leaders is likely to intensify in the coming years.
• AI is on the agenda: Curiosity about AI’s real-world applications in ag is growing, from optimizing supply chains to improving crop protection strategies. While most leaders admit they’re still in the exploratory phase, the conversation has shifted from if to how AI will reshape their operations. That shift brings a leadership implication: future-ready teams will need not only technical expertise, but also leaders who can integrate new technologies into existing business models without losing focus on core priorities.
• Retooling in the calm: With operations steady, some companies are using this time to reposition teams, add domain expertise, and prepare for a growth cycle — a strategic move that’s far harder to execute when markets heat up.

Leadership as a Strategic Priority

Too often, leadership planning is reactive, triggered by a vacancy or sudden business shift. At the Summit, it was clear that the companies preparing now will have a competitive edge later.

• Know your bench strength: Leadership assessments aren’t just for hiring; they’re for understanding your current team’s capabilities, potential, and readiness for new challenges.
• Invest with intent: Just as you’d bring in a top-tier consulting firm to guide strategy, invest in the right search and advisory partners to shape your leadership team.
• Build for diversity of thought: Innovation thrives when leadership teams bring varied perspectives and experiences. Homogeneous teams may move fast, but they rarely see around corners.

From Reactive to Ready

Uncertainty and turbulence have left little room for autopilot. In times like these, leadership becomes the anchor, the factor that keeps teams focused, agile, and aligned. The organizations making progress now aren’t waiting for certainty; they’re using the disruption as a catalyst to retool, recalibrate, and prepare their teams for the demands ahead. If you’re mapping out your 2026 strategy, let’s connect on how intentional leadership decisions today can create the flexibility and resilience you’ll need tomorrow.