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AgTech & Food Innovation Stocks Driving Smarter Food Systems
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An updated edition of the Aug. 11, 2026, article.
The Agricultural technology (AgTech) and food innovation space is being reshaped by the need to produce food more efficiently while keeping pace with changing consumer expectations. From smarter farm technologies to more convenient and value-added food products, innovation is becoming increasingly important across the agricultural and food-production chain.
For farmers, the focus is shifting toward tools that can improve productivity, support better decision-making and make more efficient use of inputs. Advances in crop science, digital farming, automation and biological solutions are helping growers manage increasingly complex operating conditions. Corteva, Inc. (CTVA - Free Report) is well aligned with this trend through its crop-protection portfolio and focus on differentiated agricultural technologies.
Innovation is also moving further into food production as companies respond to consumers seeking convenience, affordability, nutrition and quality. This is encouraging manufacturers to refine product portfolios, introduce new formats and invest in offerings that better match changing eating habits.
This backdrop also supports companies such as Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN - Free Report) , which operates across multiple protein categories and has meaningful exposure to prepared foods. Its broad portfolio gives the company a role in serving demand for convenient and branded food options across retail and foodservice channels.
For investors, the theme offers exposure to long-term changes in how food is grown, processed and consumed. While weather, commodity prices and input costs can create short-term pressure, the broader push toward productivity and innovation remains intact. The AgTech & Food Innovation Screen captures this opportunity through companies spanning the value chain, including Trimble Inc. (TRMB - Free Report) , Ingredion Incorporated (INGR - Free Report) and Deere & Company (DE - Free Report) .
Trimble is positioned within the AgTech theme through technologies that help farmers operate more precisely and make better use of inputs. Its agricultural exposure now comes largely through PTx Trimble, the joint venture formed with AGCO, while Trimble continues to contribute positioning, guidance and related technology. This gives this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company an ongoing role in the shift toward smarter, more connected farming systems. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
PTx Trimble’s portfolio includes Field-IQ crop-input control, WeedSeeker 2 spot-spraying technology and Precision-IQ software used with displays such as the GFX-1060 and GFX-1260. These solutions support guidance, variable-rate application, section control and field-data management, helping farmers apply seed, fertilizer and crop-protection products with greater precision.
TRMB is also supporting the move toward more reliable and automated field operations through high-accuracy positioning technologies. CenterPoint RTX provides precise positioning support, while IonoGuard, introduced with PTx Trimble, is designed to improve GNSS performance during periods of ionospheric disruption. Together with PTx Trimble’s work in guidance, precision spraying, autonomy and connected farming, these technologies keep Trimble closely linked to the broader push for more efficient, data-driven agriculture.
Ingredion Incorporated is building a stronger position on the food innovation side of the broader AgTech & Food Innovation theme. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is using plant-based raw materials, formulation expertise and digital capabilities to help food and beverage manufacturers respond to demand for cleaner labels, better nutrition and improved functionality. Ingredion’s focus spans texture, protein and fiber fortification, sugar reduction and health-oriented solutions.
INGR has also introduced Ask Ingredion, an AI-powered formulation platform designed to help customers identify ingredients, solve formulation challenges and speed product development. Health and wellness remain important areas of innovation. Ingredion’s VITESSENCE pea proteins support protein fortification across a range of food and beverage applications, while Benicaros, an upcycled soluble carrot fiber, expands its presence in digestive and immune-health solutions. The addition of Benicaros also strengthens INGR’s ability to offer science-backed ingredients that can help customers differentiate products around functional nutrition.
Ingredion is also broadening its innovation platform through partnerships and portfolio expansion. Its strategic relationship with Sanstar adds pharmaceutical-excipient capabilities and creates opportunities in specialty food ingredients in India. Meanwhile, the proposed acquisition of Tate & Lyle would expand the company’s capabilities across sweetening, texture, mouthfeel, fiber and protein fortification, strengthening its role as a broader solutions provider to food and beverage customers.
Deere & Company has become an important part of the AgTech landscape by combining farm equipment with precision technologies, automation and digital tools. Its strategy is increasingly focused on helping growers use inputs more efficiently, improve productivity and make better operating decisions. See & Spray, for example, uses advanced sensing and targeting technology to apply herbicide selectively, with Deere reporting herbicide savings of more than 50%. Deere & Company is also expanding planter technologies such as ExactRate, ExactShot and FurrowVision.
DE is also strengthening its digital agriculture ecosystem through the John Deere Operations Center, which helps growers turn machine and field data into actionable insights. The platform now connects nearly 1.2 million machines across more than 520 million engaged acres, while Deere is developing AI-enabled capabilities to further improve decision-making.
These technologies support Deere’s broader shift toward integrated farming systems. With seed, fertilizer and crop-protection products representing a significant portion of farmers’ operating costs, DE is targeting tools that can reduce waste and improve farm economics. This Zacks Rank #3 company says its precision agriculture systems can generate double-digit savings in variable operating costs while supporting yield improvement.
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AgTech & Food Innovation Stocks Driving Smarter Food Systems
An updated edition of the Aug. 11, 2026, article.
The Agricultural technology (AgTech) and food innovation space is being reshaped by the need to produce food more efficiently while keeping pace with changing consumer expectations. From smarter farm technologies to more convenient and value-added food products, innovation is becoming increasingly important across the agricultural and food-production chain.
For farmers, the focus is shifting toward tools that can improve productivity, support better decision-making and make more efficient use of inputs. Advances in crop science, digital farming, automation and biological solutions are helping growers manage increasingly complex operating conditions. Corteva, Inc. (CTVA - Free Report) is well aligned with this trend through its crop-protection portfolio and focus on differentiated agricultural technologies.
Innovation is also moving further into food production as companies respond to consumers seeking convenience, affordability, nutrition and quality. This is encouraging manufacturers to refine product portfolios, introduce new formats and invest in offerings that better match changing eating habits.
This backdrop also supports companies such as Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN - Free Report) , which operates across multiple protein categories and has meaningful exposure to prepared foods. Its broad portfolio gives the company a role in serving demand for convenient and branded food options across retail and foodservice channels.
For investors, the theme offers exposure to long-term changes in how food is grown, processed and consumed. While weather, commodity prices and input costs can create short-term pressure, the broader push toward productivity and innovation remains intact. The AgTech & Food Innovation Screen captures this opportunity through companies spanning the value chain, including Trimble Inc. (TRMB - Free Report) , Ingredion Incorporated (INGR - Free Report) and Deere & Company (DE - Free Report) .
Explore 40 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Investing Screens and discover your next big opportunity.
3 AgTech & Food Innovation Stocks in Focus
Trimble is positioned within the AgTech theme through technologies that help farmers operate more precisely and make better use of inputs. Its agricultural exposure now comes largely through PTx Trimble, the joint venture formed with AGCO, while Trimble continues to contribute positioning, guidance and related technology. This gives this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company an ongoing role in the shift toward smarter, more connected farming systems. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
PTx Trimble’s portfolio includes Field-IQ crop-input control, WeedSeeker 2 spot-spraying technology and Precision-IQ software used with displays such as the GFX-1060 and GFX-1260. These solutions support guidance, variable-rate application, section control and field-data management, helping farmers apply seed, fertilizer and crop-protection products with greater precision.
TRMB is also supporting the move toward more reliable and automated field operations through high-accuracy positioning technologies. CenterPoint RTX provides precise positioning support, while IonoGuard, introduced with PTx Trimble, is designed to improve GNSS performance during periods of ionospheric disruption. Together with PTx Trimble’s work in guidance, precision spraying, autonomy and connected farming, these technologies keep Trimble closely linked to the broader push for more efficient, data-driven agriculture.
Ingredion Incorporated is building a stronger position on the food innovation side of the broader AgTech & Food Innovation theme. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is using plant-based raw materials, formulation expertise and digital capabilities to help food and beverage manufacturers respond to demand for cleaner labels, better nutrition and improved functionality. Ingredion’s focus spans texture, protein and fiber fortification, sugar reduction and health-oriented solutions.
INGR has also introduced Ask Ingredion, an AI-powered formulation platform designed to help customers identify ingredients, solve formulation challenges and speed product development. Health and wellness remain important areas of innovation. Ingredion’s VITESSENCE pea proteins support protein fortification across a range of food and beverage applications, while Benicaros, an upcycled soluble carrot fiber, expands its presence in digestive and immune-health solutions. The addition of Benicaros also strengthens INGR’s ability to offer science-backed ingredients that can help customers differentiate products around functional nutrition.
Ingredion is also broadening its innovation platform through partnerships and portfolio expansion. Its strategic relationship with Sanstar adds pharmaceutical-excipient capabilities and creates opportunities in specialty food ingredients in India. Meanwhile, the proposed acquisition of Tate & Lyle would expand the company’s capabilities across sweetening, texture, mouthfeel, fiber and protein fortification, strengthening its role as a broader solutions provider to food and beverage customers.
Deere & Company has become an important part of the AgTech landscape by combining farm equipment with precision technologies, automation and digital tools. Its strategy is increasingly focused on helping growers use inputs more efficiently, improve productivity and make better operating decisions. See & Spray, for example, uses advanced sensing and targeting technology to apply herbicide selectively, with Deere reporting herbicide savings of more than 50%. Deere & Company is also expanding planter technologies such as ExactRate, ExactShot and FurrowVision.
DE is also strengthening its digital agriculture ecosystem through the John Deere Operations Center, which helps growers turn machine and field data into actionable insights. The platform now connects nearly 1.2 million machines across more than 520 million engaged acres, while Deere is developing AI-enabled capabilities to further improve decision-making.
These technologies support Deere’s broader shift toward integrated farming systems. With seed, fertilizer and crop-protection products representing a significant portion of farmers’ operating costs, DE is targeting tools that can reduce waste and improve farm economics. This Zacks Rank #3 company says its precision agriculture systems can generate double-digit savings in variable operating costs while supporting yield improvement.