Agri-food Industry Research Articles

Assessment of the sustainability of the European agri-food sector in the context of the circular economy

Quantifying the sustainability of the agriculture, livestock, and agri-food industry under a homogeneous criterion is essential to strategize the implementation of sustainable development in the agri-food sector and increase the commitment of stakeholders using aids to reduce the socio-economic impact of the expansion of sustainability. In order to homogenize the quantification methodology in the European context, a composite indicator was developed from a system of indices of the European agri-food system. Results unveiled a moderate level of sustainability in the food production and processing in the European Union. The French agri-food system (0.46) had the highest overall sustainability according to the composite indicator of this study, followed by Austria (0.44), Italy (0.43), Estonia (0.43), Germany (0.42), Belgium (0.40), Finland (0.40), Denmark (0.40), Spain (0.40), Latvia (0.39), Czech Republic (0.39), Sweden (0.38), Greece (0.38), Netherlands (0.38) and Slovakia (0.38), all of them above the EU-27 average (0.37). The more significant economic and social progress of agricultural activity was associated with a lower quality of environmental indicators. Overall agri-food system sustainability can be predicted from ten indicators. The results suggest the necessity of implementing a policy that prioritizes the development of Local Productive Systems based on the framework of the circular economy to favor territorial balance.

Risk assessment and environmental consequences of the use of the Allium-derived compound propyl-propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) in agrifood applications

The organosulfur compound propyl-propane thiosulfonate (PTSO), mainly found in Allium cepa, has a promising use in the agrifood industry. To confirm its safety for livestock, consumers, and environment, toxicological assessment is needed. In this regard, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are in the spotlight of research. Therefore, as part of the risk assessment of PTSO, in the present work, an in vivo study was performed in mice exposed to PTSO to investigate its potential reproductive toxicity considering fertility, genetic and endocrine endpoints. Five-weeks-old CD1 mice (80 males, 80 females) were exposed for 11 or 16 weeks (males or females, respectively) to different doses of PTSO (0, 14, 28 and 55 mg PTSO/kg b.w./day; 20 animals per group and sex) through the food pellets. No clinical observations or mortality and no changes in absolute organ weights and relative organ weights/body weight or brain ratios occurred during the study. The estrous cycle did not undergo any significant toxicologically relevant change. Most of the sex hormones displayed normal values. Some alterations in the expression of some genes related to reproduction is only observed in females, but they do not appear to have consequences in the development of sex organs. Docking results showed the impossibility of stable binding to estrogen and androgen receptors. Considering all the results obtained, the safe profile of PTSO can be confirmed for different agrifood applications at the conditions assayed.

Sustainable valorization of co-products from asparagus cultivation by obtaining bioactive compounds.

Asparagus cultivation generates every year a significant amount of by-products that consist of root and frond. Leaving these residues on the fields after harvesting negatively affects the following asparagus crops, since they release autotoxic (allelopathic) substances into the soil, whose accumulation causes that asparagus yields gradually decrease over the years, becoming an unprofitable crop in a period of about 10 to 15 years. This phenomenon is known as decay and forces the entire asparagus plantation to be lifted (abandoned). On the other hand, once a certain plantation has been lifted, it is not profitable to immediately re-plant new asparagus plants, since the yields that are achieved are never more than half of normal ones. It is necessary to wait an average of 4 or 5 years before replanting asparagus in these lands. This phenomenon is known as the replanting problem, and causes the need to continually search for new land for growing asparagus. Another added problem for farmers is that the elimination of those plant residues from asparagus cultivation entails significant economic costs. For all these reasons, it is essential to seek alternatives for the management of that waste that improve the sustainability of the crop within the scope of the circular economy. In this context, this work proposes the valorization of asparagus by-products by obtaining bioactive compounds. Main objectives of the present work include: i) phytochemical analyses of asparagus fronds and roots; ii) obtaining bioactive extracts, with distinct technological and nutritional functionalities, by using an environmentally sustainable extraction process, easy to implement in the practice of a food industry and with methods compatible with food use. Characterization of asparagus by-products shown that fronds had an average flavonoid content of 2.637 ± 0.014 g/Kg fresh weight, which is up to 5-6 times higher than that of the spears; and roots contained up to 10 times more saponins (2.25 g/Kg fresh weight), which were accompanied by lower quantities of phenolic acids (368 mg/Kg fresh weight). Statistical analysis revealed that those phytochemical contents were mainly determined by location and phase of the vegetative cycle, whereas genetic factors did not significantly influence them. Based on the results of the present work, the proposal for the recovery and valorization of asparagus by-products is based on obtaining two bioactive extracts, the first being an antioxidant extract enriched in flavonoids, with an average yield of 10.7 g/Kg fresh frond and a flavonoid richness of 17%; and the second, a saponins extract with an average yield of 10.3 g/Kg fresh root and a richness of 51%. These natural extracts have great techno-functional potential in the agri-food industry and some of them are already being tested as additives in the preparation of soups, breads and meat products.

Fiber Enrichment of 3D Printed Apricot Gel Snacks with Orange By-Products.

Concern about food waste has become a major global concern. The waste generated by the agri-food industry poses an environmental challenge. However, the development of 3D printing technology offers an opportunity to address this problem. By incorporating food waste into inks, it can create personalized food tailored to individual needs. The aim of this study is the valorization of orange by-products (OBP) in 3D printed gels to obtain a final product in the form of a fiber-enriched snack. Gelatin gels were printed with different concentrations of apricot pulp (30, 50, and 70%) and OBP was added. These gels were subjected to a freeze-drying process. The rheology of the gels before and after printing, the printing precision, and the post-treatment of the freeze-dried product, including color, shear force, and the presence of bioactive compounds, were evaluated. The addition of OBP resulted in an increase in the elasticity (997-1242u) of the samples and improved the printability of them. However, an increase in the hardness (173-184u) was observed in the freeze-dried samples. The use of OBP not only improves the printability of the gels but also enables obtaining fiber-enriched snacks, which could contribute to the reduction in food waste and the promotion of healthy and sustainable food.

Rural-Urban Linkages: Regional Financial Business Services’ Integration into Chilean Agri-Food Value Chains

The spatial structure of urban-related industries and agri-food value chains is important for promoting sustainable linkages. Using an interregional input-output framework, this study explores the geography of inter-industry linkages between financial business services and the Chilean agri-food related industries from a subnational perspective. This framework allows adding evidence on rural-related economic activities and financial business services, covering Chilean internal geography, which has a regional concentration of both the business services supply and the agriculturally engaged regions, potentially blocking territorial competitiveness. Our findings indicate that the relationship between value-added and trade is consistent with the vertical fragmentation of domestic production associated with returns to scale. Consequently, while the value-added financial services are more intense in trade for global value chains, this occurs in regions specialized in agri-food industries and services. Our findings also show that Southern Chilean regions engaged in primary agricultural production have lower levels of financial services directly and indirectly embedded in both domestic and global value chains trade, thus highlighting an uneven geography of vertical integration within the country.

Individual and social defenses in Apis mellifera: a playground to fight against synergistic stressor interactions.

The honeybee is an important species for the agri-food and pharmaceutical industries through bee products and crop pollination services. However, honeybee health is a major concern, because beekeepers in many countries are experiencing significant colony losses. This phenomenon has been linked to the exposure of bees to multiple stresses in their environment. Indeed, several biotic and abiotic stressors interact with bees in a synergistic or antagonistic way. Synergistic stressors often act through a disruption of their defense systems (immune response or detoxification). Antagonistic interactions are most often caused by interactions between biotic stressors or disruptive activation of bee defenses. Honeybees have developed behavioral defense strategies and produce antimicrobial compounds to prevent exposure to various pathogens and chemicals. Expanding our knowledge about these processes could be used to develop strategies to shield bees from exposure. This review aims to describe current knowledge about the exposure of honeybees to multiple stresses and the defense mechanisms they have developed to protect themselves. The effect of multi-stress exposure is mainly due to a disruption of the immune response, detoxification, or an excessive defense response by the bee itself. In addition, bees have developed defenses against stressors, some behavioral, others involving the production of antimicrobials, or exploiting beneficial external factors.

Valorization of a biomass: phytochemicals in oilseed by-products

Agri-food industry generates a wide variety of waste by-products in huge amounts every year. These by-products possess various phytochemicals which are known as high value addeded substances. Oilseed crops produces residuals, which have potential source of high added-value phytochemicals. This study gives the types of oilseed by-products and their high added value phytochemicals by summarizing the recent studies on the valorization of different wastes of several oilseed crops. Furthermore, future perspectives are also discussed.

Supply chain resilience to climate change inflicted extreme events in agri-food industry: The role of social capital and network complexity

In light of climate change inflicted extreme events—such as floods, fires, droughts, storms, and hurricanes, along with the consequent widespread business disruptions—supply chain resilience (SCR) has emerged as a critical tool to sustain business performance. However, little in-depth theoretical and empirical research has been conducted in relation to the link between exposure to climate change and SCR and the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions that explicate this relationship. Using time-lagged data drawn from 260 firms in the Australian food supply chains, we examined how exposure to climate change influences SCR in the face of extreme events, and whether intra- and inter-firm social capital and network complexity affect this relationship. Our analysis revealed that exposure to climate change events has a direct positive—albeit not statistically significant—influence on SCR to extreme events. Nevertheless, we found that exposure to climate change significantly and positively influences SCR to extreme events through the mediation of intra- and inter-firm social capital. Additionally, we uncovered that network complexity does not influence the effect of intra-firm social capital on SCR to extreme events, whereas it does negatively influence that of inter-firm social capital. The reliability and validity of our results were confirmed by means of robustness tests. Our study, which has several theoretical and practical implications, makes specific contributions to the United Nations Development Goals.

Up-Cycling of Olea europaea L. Ancient Cultivars Side Products: Study of a Combined Cosmetic-Food Supplement Treatment Based on Leaves and Olive Mill Wastewater Extracts.

In recent years, a reversal of the global economic framework has been taking place: from the linear model, there has been a gradual transition to a circular model where by-products from the agri-food industry are taken and transformed into value products (upcycling) rather than being disposed of. Olive tree pruning represents an important biomass currently used for combustion; however, the leaf part of the olive tree is rich in phenolic substances, including hydroxytyrosol. Mill wastewater is also discarded, but it still contains high amounts of hydroxytyrosol. In this study, cosmetic and food supplement formulations were prepared using biophenols extracted from leaves and wastewater and were tested in a placebo-controlled study on healthy volunteers using a combined cosmetic and food supplement treatment. A significant improvement in skin health indicators (collagen density, elasticity, etc.) and a 17% improvement against Photo-induced Irritative Stimulus was observed.

Rational or Impulsive? Early Backers’ Investment Behavior in Agri-Food Crowdfunding from 4P–4C Perspectives

Lack of funds and poor agricultural-product sales are the main problems that limit agricultural development, which can be well solved by agri-food crowdfunding. How to attract more backers to invest in the early stage of a project is extremely crucial for agri-food crowdfunding. Using a unique sample comprising 1,136 agri-food crowdfunding campaigns on Crowdfunding Net, among the most influential crowdfunding platforms in China, a model is constructed that includes the five dimensions of people, product, promotion, cost, and convenience. Drawing on the classic 4P and 4C marketing theories, multiple regression analysis is used to examine the mechanism through which a project’s presentation information influences the number of early backers. The results reveal that the factors in the three dimensions of people, product, and convenience positively impact the number of early backers in agri-food crowdfunding. In contrast, the cost-dimension factor is negatively related to the number of early backers. The promotion-dimension factors fail to pass the significance test. Additionally, the number of first-day backers partially moderates the effect of the initiator category, investment threshold, and lottery on the number of early backers. The effects of the trademark registration and number of reward categories on the number of early backers are completely moderated by the number of first-day backers. The evidence also shows that early backers’ rational investment decisions are based on reliable information and lucrative rewards. The research conclusions offer practical enlightenment for initiators, crowd-funding platforms, and regulators in the agri-food crowdfunding industry.

A bibliometric approach to understanding the recent development of self-sufficient fish feed production utilizing agri-food wastes and by-products towards sustainable aquaculture

The global agri-food industry generates a large volume of waste annually, which causes both environmental and economic problems. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the use of agri-food wastes and by-products to produce self-sufficient fish feed. This study aimed to analyze the intellectual structure of the recent research on the utilization of agri-food wastes and by-products as self-sufficient fish feed materials based on 922 Scopus-indexed core collection documents from 252 journals written by 4420 authors from 73 countries with an annual growth rate of 18.65% over the last four years (2019–2022). This bibliometric study implemented knowledge domain visualization (KDV) using VOSViewer and Biblioshiny in the Bibliometrix R-package to investigate the basic scientometric profile of the selected fields. The results showed that Dawood M.A.O., with PageRanks of 0.0732, 19 total publications, 695 global citations from 2019 to 2022, and closeness values of 0.25, was the most productive author within the field. Subsequently, China was determined to be the most productive country (93 valid documents) and have the strongest collaboration network. Major research hotspots in the field included aquaculture and sustainable aquaculture, fish feed with agri-food waste, rainbow trout species, the development of a circular economy, probiotic applications, and cell signaling cytokines and peptides. This bibliometric study provides comprehensive information on the intellectual domain and research landscape on self-sufficient fish feed and also shows how interest in this research topic and similar ones is growing.

Eggshell-Waste-Derived Calcium Acetate, Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate and Corresponding Eggshell Membranes

The development of innovative transformation techniques for various wastes generated by the agri-food industry is one of the goals of sustainable waste management oriented toward “zero-waste” approach. This includes the production of bulk and fine chemicals, bioactive compounds, enzymes and functional materials from various waste. The present research shows the possibility of the production of value-added products from eggshell waste using chemical transformation by acetic and o-phosphoric acid at a laboratory scale level. Eggshell-derived calcium acetate monohydrate and calcium hydrogen phosphate, both of high purity, as well as corresponding eggshell membranes as valuable by-products, were produced. Chemical transformation of 100 g of eggshell waste with 10% (w/v) acetic acid resulted in 111.41 ± 2.13 g of calcium acetate monohydrate and 2.90 ± 0.14 g of eggshell membranes, with a chemical yield in calcium acetate monohydrate of 79.16 ± 1.98%. On the other hand, the transformation of 100 g of eggshell waste in 15% (w/v) o-phosphoric acid yielded 77.06 ± 6.21 g of calcium hydrogen phosphate and 2.94 ± 0.08 g of eggshell membranes, with a chemical yield in calcium hydrogen phosphate of 71.36 ± 5.58%. Eggshell-derived calcium hydrogen phosphate met all prescribed criteria for food-grade additive, as determined by physicochemical analysis. On the other hand, calcium acetate monohydrate met the majority, except water insoluble and formic acid and oxidizable impurities content. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the proposed eggshell waste transformation process by two different acids might be useful for the production of calcium acetate and calcium hydrogen phosphate as food-grade additives, as well as eggshell membranes as valuable by-products.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from blueberry leaves using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) for the valorization of agrifood wastes

The food industry demands novel green solvents for the extraction of bioactive compounds, particularly from residues of the agrifood industry. Herein, an ultrasound-assisted method has been developed for the environmentally friendly extraction of phenolic compounds from blueberry leaves using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES). After the screening of multiple NADES, the best extraction efficiencies in terms of total phenol content and antioxidant activity were provided by NADES composed of lactate, sodium acetate, and water (3:1:2), and of choline chloride and oxalic acid (1:1). Using a Box–Behnken experimental design, the optimal extraction conditions were achieved by sonicating for 45 min at 65 °C and using solvent:sample ratios of 15 and 75 (v/w) for the NADES based on lactic acid and choline, respectively. Compared with conventional organic solvents, the use of these NADES composed of lactic acid and choline provided superior performance for the recovery of phenolic compounds (1.6-fold and 2.2-fold greater efficacy, respectively) and antioxidant compounds (1.6-fold and 2.8-fold greater efficacy, respectively). The chromatographic characterization of the extracts obtained under these optimized conditions evidenced that the lactic-based NADES enabled the extraction of a wide range of hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonol derivatives, whereas the choline-based NADES was selective towards the extraction of anthocyanins. These results indicate that the proposed method could represent an excellent green alternative for the recovery of phenolic compounds from plant materials and agrifood wastes, with improved extraction efficacy and/or selectivity compared to that provided by traditional organic solvents.

Leveraging on technology and sustainability to innovate the supply chain: a proposal of agri-food value chain model

PurposeNowadays, the agri-food industry is called to face several sustainability challenges that require the development of new sustainable models. The adoption of new technological assets from Industry 4.0 supports the companies during the implementation of sustainability practices. Several models design the operation management of the food supply chains (FSCs). Because none extant models resulted complete in technological and sustainability elements, this paper aims to propose an innovative and sustainable agri-food value chain model, contributing to extend understating of how supply chains can become more sustainable through the Industry 4.0 technologies.Design/methodology/approachThanks to a well-structured and replicable systematic literature review and sequent content analysis, this work recognized and compared the extant FSC models, focusing on the interaction of five key elements: activities, flows, stakeholders, technologies and sustainability. The output of the comparison leading in the definition of the proposed model is discussed in a focus group of 10 experts and tested in a case study.FindingsFifteen extant models were recognized in literature and analysed to discover their features and to putt in light peculiarities and differences among them. This analysis provided useful insights to design and propose a new innovative and sustainable agri-food value chain model; an example for the olive oil business case is provided.Originality/valueThe adding value of the work is the proposed model which regards innovative elements such as recirculation flows, external stakeholders and Industry 4.0 technologies usage which allows enhancing the agri-FSCs operational efficiency and sustainability.

Identification of Polyphenolic Compounds Responsible for Antioxidant, Anti-Candida Activities and Nutritional Properties in Different Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Hull Cultivars.

The use of by-products from the agri-food industry is a promising approach for production of value-added, polyphenol-rich dietary supplements or natural pharmaceutical preparations. During pistachio nut processing, a great amount of husk is removed, leaving large biomass for potential re-use. The present study compares antiglycative, antioxidant, and antifungal activities as well as nutritional values of 12 genotypes belonging to four pistachio cultivars. Antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH and ABTS assays. Antiglycative activity was evaluated as inhibition of advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation in the bovine serum albumin/methylglyoxal model. HPLC analysis was performed to determine the major phenolic compounds. Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside (120.81-181.94 mg/100 g DW), gallic acid (27.89-45.25), catechin (7.2-11.01), and eriodictyol-7-O-glucoside (7.23-16.02) were the major components. Among genotypes, the highest total flavonol content (14.8 mg quercetin equivalents/g DW) and total phenolic content (262 mg tannic acid equivalent/g DW) were in KAL1 (Kaleghouchi) and FAN2 (Fandoghi), respectively. The highest antioxidant (EC50 = 375 μg/mL) and anti-glycative activities were obtained for Fan1. Furthermore, potent inhibitory activity against Candida species was recorded with MIC values of 3.12-12.5 µg/mL. The oil content ranged from 5.4% in Fan2 to 7.6% in Akb1. The nutritional parameters of the tested cultivars were highly variable: crude protein (9.8-15.8%), ADF (acid detergent fiber 11.9-18.2%), NDF (neutral detergent fiber, 14.8-25.6%), and condensed tannins (1.74-2.86%). Finally, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside was considered an effective compound responsible for antioxidant and anti-glycative activities.

The Tuscany Integrated Supply Chain Projects 2014–2022: A New Path to Support the Agri-Food Industry

The Integrated Supply Chain Projects (ISCP) are promoted under the framework of Rural Development Programs (RDPs). Considering the scarce literature on ISCP, the case of Tuscany, one of the Italian regions that has implemented ISCPs most aggressively, was analyzed. The aim of this work is to give evidence of the potential positive effects of ISCPs for the agricultural sector by considering the differences between ISCP beneficiaries (treated) and non-ISCP farms (non-treated). The materials used for the analysis are twofold: the Italian Rural Network database and the Italian Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) dataset. The analysis is based on a three-year period (2018–2020). The sample consists of 1693 farms, outliers excluded. The treated farms included in the FADN sample total 134. The variables used are both structural and economic. The statistical analysis carried out compares treated and non-treated farms using the Welch-t-test. The results show that some key variables are significant (area; labour; revenues and costs). In general, the treated farms are more likely to improve their production process through EU funding and through new investments. In conclusion, the ISCP could be a good opportunity to support the sector. This work suggests that beneficiaries could achieve higher economic performance, especially when carrying out diversified activities.

The Potential of Gamification for Social Sustainability: Meaning and Purposes in Agri-Food Industry

Nowadays, digital platforms are applying some game-linked elements in their services with the aim to attract, retain and shape human interaction. Therefore, it is essential to investigate gamification with regard to its social sustainability. Gamification strategies are strategical in the agri-food industry to reach social and marketing goals. Despite the presence of several literature reviews on gamification, no study proposes a reflection on the meaning and purposes of gamification in the agri-food industry. This paper aims to identify the core dimensions underlying the concept of gamification, analysing its definitions and purposes through a systematic literature review, content analysis and principal component analysis. Eight core dimensions were detected leading to the conception of a new definition of gamification in the agri-food industry. Our results highlighted the potential of gamification to impact society, leaving points of reflection on how it can be made more inclusive and effective. Theoretical and practical implications were provided for academics, researchers, agri-food companies, policy makers, management engineers, technology makers, marketers and practitioners. The novelty of this study lies in the application of a social psychology methodology to give meaning to the words, overcoming the limits derived from qualitative research based on, only, content analysis.

Impact of the New Energy Context on the Feasibility of Solar Water Heating Systems in the Agri-Food Industry

The new energy context since 2021 has led to dramatic increases in the energy bills of agribusinesses, affecting the price of foodstuffs. A considerable part of energy consumption is due to the heating of water at high temperatures. The present study analyzed the feasibility of using a Solar Water Heating System (SWHS) with an evacuated tube collector. In particular, the required sizing changes, potential savings and cost-effectiveness were analyzed. The results show that the new energy context makes the SWHS investment highly attractive: a payback of less than 4 years in most of the scenarios analyzed; energy savings of more than 60% in the scenarios with higher irradiation; a reduction in total energy expenditure of more than 50% in the favorable scenarios close to the current reality. The new context especially favors cold and temperate climates, with very sharp drops in payback compared to the previous situation. To achieve these values, it is necessary to design an optimized sizing of the SWHS, reducing the risk of future variations in the price of energy. The results of the study should serve as a reference for decision making in the agroindustrial sector to reduce the energy bill and strategic dependence on fossil fuels from third countries.

A Novel Strategy for Visualizing, Tracing, and Measuring the Gastrointestinal Absorption of Silver Nanoparticles

AbstractThe silver‐based formulation has become one of the most widely used nanoagents for agrifood industry and clinical translation. However, the in vivo fate of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) via oral exposure remains poorly understood. Here, a specific strategy is shown for tracking the gastrointestinal transformation, intestinal absorption, and organ distribution of particulate Ag after oral exposure by using the gold (Au)‐Ag core−shell NPs (Au@AgNPs). Taking advantage of both plasmonic and elemental characteristics of Au@AgNPs, the transformation of particulate Ag in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and later on, intestinal absorption are visualized at the single‐particle level. Furthermore, quantitative analysis reveals that the clearance rate of ingested particulate Ag from the blood and organs is much higher than that of ionic Ag, and at 6 h post‐oral administration, the former only contributed 0.08%, 1.10%, and 0.64% of the total Ag in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Finally, the transcellular and paracellular pathways are identified as two possible mechanisms responsible for the transepithelial transport of particulate Ag. This study opens an avenue toward the examination of oral bioavailability of NPs and may have important implications in exploring the oral delivery technologies of nanoagents.

Sustainable strategies of industrial tourism in the agri-food business: an exploratory approach

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the opportunities and potential of industrial tourism for the agri-food industry in the current post-pandemic scenario. Industrial tourism can favor appropriate behaviors by companies and tourists to address emerging challenges in the post-pandemic era, such as responsible production and consumption and the containment of waste production.Design/methodology/approachThe adopted research method is a case study with exploratory purposes, applied to an industrial tourism experiment called “Make it in Puglia” (Apulia Region, Italy). The case study was based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews.FindingsThis study analyzes how industrial tourism in active agri-businesses allows local areas to be enhanced while simultaneously improving and strengthening sustainable strategies and choices for organizations and customers, especially in the changing context of the post-pandemic era.Research limitations/implicationsThe country specificity of this project and the limited duration of the investigation in the post-pandemic period were the main limitations of this study.Practical implicationsIndustrial tourism in the agri-food business can contribute to a sustainable strategy for destination management based on new elements of attractiveness. Moreover, industrial tourism represents an opportunity for agri-food businesses, through the promotion of “business tours,” to respond to requests for more sustainable practices, especially considering that food waste and resource use efficiency have become a topic of growing concern.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first studies that considers industrial tourism as a strategy for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the agribusiness sector, as it analyzes industrial tourism as an instrument in the construction of a cohesive ecosystem where tourism, agri-food business and local communities together pursue preservation and safeguarding of the environment, heritage and territory.