Waste Minimization and Performance Improvement in Vegetable Supply Chains: A Case Study from a Developing Economy

Abstract

Unproductive upstream and downstream supply chains' operational performance in the developing economies have resulted large scale waste within vegetable supply chains. This resulted loss of return on investments. This has been further exacerbated by the lack of empowerment and bargaining ability as well as lack of a standard measurement and reporting system in the vegetable supply chains. A case study has been carried out in a developing economy to explore the currently existing vegetable supply chain eco-system and performance. A major vegetable distribution hub of Sri Lanka has been selected to collect data. Value chain analysis (VCA) combined with the cause-and-effect analysis was performed to visualize the currently existing supply chain network and to identify prevailing issues. The findings reveal that a marginally lower share has been passed to the micro and small scale producers after selling their harvest to intermediaries. The small and medium scale producers currently have no influence on product pricing and are heavily influenced by the market syndicates. The overall findings of this study provide a foundation for developing policies to uplift the current existing vegetable supply chain eco-system, and to minimize the food security risk, in developing economies by minimizing systemic waste in the vegetable supply chains.