UNISTOCK Europe, the European association for the storage and handling of agricultural commodities, held a workshop on grain handling in Swedish ports at the Volvo Construction Equipment site in Eskilstuna, Sweden, on April 22, 2026. The event, organised by President Andres Gomez Bueno, Commercial Manager Tim Richardson, and Operations Working Group Chair Julian Scott, focused on productivity improvements and enhancements in grain handling, featuring presentations on zero-emission machinery, digital solutions, dust suppression technology, and software automation for the agri-supply chain.
The workshop comes amid a broader EU push to modernise agricultural oversight and sustainability. On April 21, 2026, the European Commission proposed drone derogations for pesticide spraying, aiming to modernise farming rules by allowing Member States to grant exemptions for aerial spraying by drones under Directive 2009/128/EC. This followed Commissioner Hansen’s April 14, 2026, response to a parliamentary question, championing EU tools like the Area Monitoring System (AMS) and Arachne IT tool to boost agricultural transparency and combat fraud, particularly in Greece. Earlier, on March 31, 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) enhanced its pest surveillance database to streamline plant health monitoring, improving data management for national authorities.
The UNISTOCK workshop featured a morning session at Volvo CE, including a machine show and presentations on zero-emission machinery, charging solutions, and life cycle assessments. Afternoon sessions covered airborne dust suppression using dry fog technology by Mist-Air Dust Suppression Limited, and software and automation systems by TBA Group. Lantmännen, a Swedish agricultural cooperative, presented on the Swedish grain market, including production, handling, domestic consumption, and export. The day concluded with a closing panel and a networking dinner at the Munktell Museum.
The event highlights the industry's focus on operational efficiency and sustainability, aligning with EU regulatory trends toward digitalisation and environmental performance. Stakeholders including grain handlers, port operators, and technology providers benefit from exposure to cutting-edge machinery and practices, while EU regulatory bodies and national authorities may see alignment with broader policy goals on sustainability and transparency.