Agri-food Products Research Articles

Agri-food fraud in Africa vis-à-vis global health

This paper reports on the extent of agri-food fraud in Africa, its occurrence across the Africa-EU trade borders, and associated implications for global health. It revealed that agri-food fraud in Africa and across Africa-EU trade borders may be a concern. Meanwhile, a few suspected cases have been reported, there may be more unchecked/unnoticed agri-food fraud practices ongoing in Africa requiring food trade border checks and rapid decisions making processes to reduce exposures. Exposure to adulterants can have significant implications for global health, as consumers unknowingly pay for, and consume, products that may be adulterated with substances which constitute a risk factor to one or more unchecked hazards against consumers' health protection. As global trade in agri-food products expands, the supply chain vulnerability to fraudulent activities becomes increasingly evident. This may be worse partly due to the inadequate food safety laws in African countries or poor enforcement. There is a need for food safety regulations in Africa that aim to ensure the safety and authenticity of food products, protect public health, and maintain consumer confidence. Finally, there is a need for rapid detection tools to make quick decisions on the field and agri-food traceability systems.

Intra-Industry Trade in Agri-Food Products: The Case of Poland and Ukraine

Intra-Industry Trade in Agri-Food Products: The Case of Poland and Ukraine

Designing and improving the efficiency of placement of logistics infrastructure for storage, distribution and trade of agri-food products

Purpose: The article considers a methodological approach to the formation and determination of potential locations of logistics infrastructure: warehouse storage facilities, wholesale distribution centers for storage, marketing and trade of agro-food products.Design/methodology/approach: A study of 204 objects - administrative districts and cities of Kazakhstan, where the production, storage, distribution and trade of agri-food products is carried out. The standardization of indicators, cluster, correlation-regression, factor analysis was carried out, the method of ranking and center of gravity.Findings: At the first stage of the study, potential locations of distribution centers of agricultural products were identified based on the proposed criteria. Based on factor analysis, new factors have been formed in order to determine the criteria for choosing the location of the logistics infrastructure. Cluster analysis made it possible to differentiate territories and determine the characteristics of the logistics infrastructure for their placement, depending on their specialization. At the second stage, the potential locations of logistics infrastructure and the geographical location of objects on the territory of administrative-territorial units were clarified. At the third stage, with the help of weighting coefficients and an integral indicator of the attractiveness of the location of logistics infrastructures, the service area of the logistics infrastructure of storage, sales and trade is determined in accordance with potential locations on the territory. The proposed approach, in contrast to the existing ones, takes into account the peculiarities of the functioning of the storage, marketing and trade infrastructure and links these facilities with transport and warehouse availability in the regions.Research limitations/implications: The study is aimed at complementing existing approaches and methods for determining the location of logistics infrastructure facilities with a more detailed account of the specialization of districts and the economic potential of regions.Practical implications: The conclusions allow us to use different criteria when determining the location of logistics infrastructures depending on their purpose. They also provide important information in the process of designing logistics infrastructure, conducting a differentiated investment policy during their construction and operation.Originality: In this article, a new point of view is given on the choice of criteria for the placement and determination of the number of logistics infrastructure, based on their functional purpose, specialization of districts and the potential of regions, which increase their efficiency.

Mukbang Live Streaming Commerce and Green Agri-Food Products Consumption: Exploring the New Dynamics of Consumer Purchasing Decisions

China’s live streaming boom has led to mukbang live streaming as a unique food marketing tool. Hosts interact with viewers by tasting and showcasing diverse cuisines in real time. This form of mukbang live streaming has recently been utilized to promote and sell green agri-food products. However, in-depth research into how mukbang live streaming affects the purchase intention for green agri-food products and the underlying mechanisms remains scant. We developed a theoretical model based on stimuli–organism–response theory to explore the impact mechanism. Data was collected via a survey of 455 users from agriculture-related live streaming platforms and analyzed using structural equation modeling with partial least squares. The study found that professional recommendation, audiovisual experience, and social interaction enhance consumers’ perceived utilitarian value; green advocacy, audiovisual experience, and social interaction positively affect consumers’ perceived social value. Both perceived utilitarian value and perceived social value positively affect the intention to purchase green agri-food products. Additionally, we used importance-performance map analysis to compare the model’s effects with latent variable averages, revealing each factor’s importance and performance. The findings offer new insights and recommendations for agri-food marketing strategies, particularly in enhancing consumer behaviors towards green agri-food products, aiding suppliers and mukbang live streaming platforms in more effectively promoting these products.

Key Drivers of Consumption, Conceptual, Sensory, and Emotional Profiling of Cheeses Based on Origin and Consumer Familiarity: A Case Study of Local and Imported Cheeses in Greece

The origin of a product, consumer familiarity, and purchasing identity are factors that affect the perception of cheese consumption. The present study aims at identifying consumers’ conceptualizations and attitudes towards local Greek cheeses of the North-Aegean Sea islands, such as Ladotyri, Graviera, Kasseri, Kaskavali, Melichloro, and Kalathaki, some of which have a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, as opposed to cheeses of non-Greek origin, such as Cheddar, Regatto, and Gouda. Sensory and emotional attributes of local, local PDO, and imported cheeses, as well as drivers associated with consumers’ choice and acceptance above and beyond their sensory attributes, were studied using three methods: (a) flash profile to gain insight into the sensory positioning of products and description of samples; (b) qualitative analysis of focus groups to pinpoint consumer knowledge, preference, and consumption criteria; and (c) a new methodology for natural language processing and sentiment analysis of social media posts to determine consumer conceptualizations. Social media posts have proven to be a valuable source of linguistic and cultural data for cheeses. Local cheeses, including PDO products, were found to be linked to village life and family gatherings, home, tradition, and childhood memories, with saltiness and hardness being their main sensory attributes. Imported cheeses were linked to fast food, pizza, and snacking, with elasticity and gumminess as prominent sensory qualities. The main criteria for purchase were intended usage and versatility, taste and texture, price, and familiarity. The findings provide key sensory attributes, information about consumer purchasing criteria, and relevant vocabulary for the promotion of cheeses as agri-food and gastronomic identity key products.

Study, Design and Production of a Semi-Automatic Pneumatic Capper in Benin

This work constitutes a contribution to the development of the processing of agri-food products. In Benin, processors of agri-food products are facing enormous difficulties. One of the difficulties is the lack of equipment. It is to somewhat alleviate one of their difficulties that this work was carried out for fruit juice producers. Indeed, the lack of equipment affects their production capacity, because the vast majority of their production is carried out using equipment for manual use. With the intention of providing a solution to this problem of producers, through our study, we have proposed a simple tool that they can easily use and at an affordable price for the vast majority of producers. Thus, we carried out a study, design and production of a semi-automatic pneumatic bottle capper. After a study which is based on mathematical models, we made a design using the Top Solide software and proceeded to the production after manufacturing certain parts and purchasing others. We wrote a program that allowed us to automate the capper. The price of the capper is 550,000f CFA including tax. Regarding the results of our work, the capper allows a bottle to be closed between 3 seconds and 6 seconds, i.e. 10 to 20 bottles per minute, therefore 600 to 1200 bottles per hour. This study will therefore ensure rapid production and in sufficient quantity to satisfy customers and all this in record time.

Digital sustainability tracing in smallholder context: Ex-ante insights from the Peruvian cocoa supply chain

Global demand for sustainable agri-food products creates opportunities for smallholder farmers. But on-farm verification of sustainable practices is costly, making third-party certification inaccessible to many poor farmers. Digital technologies for tracing agri-food products from farm to fork could help: novel traceability systems, based on blockchain technology, can make data about on-farm practices transparently available to downstream stakeholders, enabling them to verify sustainability claims without external audits. There is limited understanding, however, of how such digital tracing systems fit local needs and capacities in smallholder contexts. Through a grounded theory approach, we explore the potential of digital traceability for sustainability monitoring in a case study in the Ucayali region of Peru. Based on interviews with local cocoa sector stakeholders, we identify two major challenges: first, setting up digital traceability systems requires investments that do not seem justified by corresponding increases in income. And second, relying on farmer-supplied data creates the risk of inaccurate information due to insufficient capacity as well as incentives for providing distorted data. Our findings suggest that strong cooperation along the supply chain is needed to ensure adequate return on farmer-side costs and investments. Focusing on sustainability metrics at the community level, in addition to the farm level, may be promising, as these metrics can be reliably collected by external stakeholders and add value beyond existing third-party certification standards. Our case study provides recommendations for local policy makers and supply chain stakeholders to develop inclusive digital sustainability tracing systems with smallholder farmers.

Can Geographical Indications foster local development? Evidence from Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG

One of the main goals in the establishment of Geographical Indications (GIs) for European agri-food products was to help fostering development in rural communities. Given the cultural and economic importance of wine production in Italy, this paper aims to understand how a wine GI in the Umbria region may have influenced local socio-economic development and, if so, what is its perceived magnitude among local stakeholders. By conducting semi-structured interviews and carrying out a qualitative analysis through the grounded theory model, results indicate a mirroring ascent, during the last three decades, in the pursuit of a unique identity, for both the territory and the wine product.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ ЕКСПОРТУ АГРОПРОДОВОЛЬЧОЇ ПРОДУКЦІЇ З УКРАЇНИ ДО КРАЇН АЗІЇ

The article considers current state of Ukraine's export of agri-food products to Asian countries, detailing its commodity and geographic structure. General socio-economic characteristics of the Asian region have been carried out. The main principles of the functioning of the agro-food sector in Asia in relation with its production and foreign trade are given. The largest exporters and importers of food among Asian countries have been determined according to the latest available data. Total agricultural trade of our country with China, India and Turkey highlighted. The dynamics of bilateral sectoral trade between partners and the key products of Ukrainian production supplied to their markets are considered. Further emphasis placed on the import needs of those food groups or commodity items by the specified countries, which Ukraine is already able to satisfy to a certain extent. An assessment of the impact of war and its negative consequences on the actual exports indicators from Ukraine to Asia during 2022-2023 was carried out. The importance of finding new sales markets and consolidating existing partner trade relations by concluding agreements on free trade was emphasized. It is pointed out the actual impossibility for our exporters to fully use the transport and logistics infrastructure, which affects the quantitative and qualitative indicators of foreign sales. In fact, against the background of the final decline in export revenues, the redirection of products from Asia to the markets of European Union does not have the proper effect and does not compensate for the losses incurred. Development prospects and opportunities for optimizing Ukrainian agri-food exports to Asian markets were given, taking into account the sector's limited resources, short- and medium-term priorities of our industry producers, and existing requests of specific importing countries.

Implementation of external opportunities in the agri-food sector of Belarus – achievements and prospects

A retrospective analysis of the development of exports of agri-food products of the Republic of Belarus was carried out, which made it possible to determine the foreign trade achievements of the domestic agri-food sector of the economy over the years of operation of a sovereign state. The priority goals and objectives for developing the export potential of Belarus in the agri-food sector have been identified. Country and product trends in the development of foreign trade flows in agricultural products and food are proposed, which will contribute to the effective implementation of domestic export potential and the achievement of the strategic goal of increasing export revenues to 9 billion US dollars.

Стратегічні засади переформатування логістичних ланцюгів агропродовольчої продукції в систему замкнених циклів у парадигмі циркулярної економіки

The article reveals the features of transforming the logistics chains of agri-food supply into a system of closed cycles. Also, it suggests strategies for reformatting the logistics chains of agri-food products into a system of closed cycles. In particular, a scheme for the operational implementation of the transformational processes of reformatting the logistics chains of agro-food products into a system of closed cycles is proposed. It has been established that one of the critical aspects of the circular agricultural economy is the return of nutrients to the soil through the processing of bio-waste and renewable fertilizers, which contributes to the preservation of fertility and natural capital. This is critical to prevent nutrient deficiencies in agriculture and reduce pollution. Organic and food waste management is at the heart of the transition to circular agriculture, which minimizes dependence on external resources, mitigates environmental impact, and uses waste to create bioenergy and biofertilizers. The number of fines imposed on business entities for violating the legislation in the field of household waste management in Ukraine has been determined. It is substantiated that the experience of foreign countries indicates the critical direction for developing a national strategy for the transition to a circular agro-food economy of Ukraine based on the principles of sustainable development. Among the main development strategies, the following stand out: the strategy of clean, sustainable growth, focused on minimizing climate change and stimulating eco-innovations; bioeconomy strategy, which involves the use of biological resources for sustainable development and preservation of biodiversity; as well as a national waste management strategy that emphasizes the minimization of agricultural waste and the support of closed production cycles. Keywords: circular economy, sustainable development, agrarian sector of the economy, supply chains, disposal of food waste, development strategies.

Co-occurrence and estimation of the risk of total aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in agri-food products consumed in Chile

Co-occurrence and estimation of the risk of total aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in agri-food products consumed in Chile

Chemical Profile and Potential Application of Agri-food Waste Products for Counteracting Diabetes Induced Neuropathy in Rats.

This study aimed to prepare defatted ethanol extract of Abelmoschus esculentus leaves, Morus nigra leaves and Punica granatum peel, to identify the chemical composition of these extracts and to explore their efficacy in counteracting diabetic neuropathy. LC-ESI-MS spectrometry was the hyphenated tool for component identification of these extracts. Behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological investigations were carried out after treatments of diabetic rats. The phenolic contents in the extracts are 16.38, 34.75 and 40.57 mg GAE/g extract regarding A. esculentus leaves, M. nigra leaves and P. granatum peel respectively. Chemodiversity of the phenolic contents was observed from the LC/Mass, where A. esculentus extract contained isoflavonoids and flavanones, M. nigra extract consisted of benzofurans, prenylated flavonoids, stilbenes, and xanthones, and P. granatum extract was rich in ellagitanins, condensed tannins, and anthocyanins. The extracts normalize of blood glucose levels, enhance the explorative behavior of the rats and their response time to thermal pain, restore the oxidant/antioxidant balance, attenuate inflammation, augment brain monoamines levels and modulate MAO-A and Ache enzyme activity. Furthermore, they recovered brain histopathological alterations. Conclusively, this study offers experimental evidence for the neuroprotective impact of studied defatted ethanol extracts against diabetic neuropathy via their hypoglycemic effect, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory potential.

Towards Integrating Information Systems of Statistical Indicators on Traceability, Quality and Safety of Italian Agrifood Systems for Citizens, Institutions and Policy-Makers

This paper arises from an ONRR project on “New technologies and methodologies for traceability, quality, safety, measurements and certifications to enhance the value and protect the typical traits in agrifood chains”. It has a first aim of performing an exhaustive review pertaining to the construction of indicators of the quality and safety of agrifood products, creating information systems dashboards of unidimensional and multidimensional indicators and applying such indicators, in the context of consumer choices and decisions of policy-makers and firms. Since it has been found that the literature offers no single proposal linking all such aspects, a second central and innovative aim is to propose an original step-by-step procedure for integrating information systems of statistical indicators for citizens, institutions and policy-makers with a specific focus on new technologies and methods for traceability, quality and safety of agrifood systems. The final output is a smart and user-friendly online database that is an absolute innovation on the topic.

Environmental Concerns of Agri-Food Product Consumers: Key Factors

Growing consumer interest in caring for the environment has motivated the development of multiple studies focused on discovering this variable’s impact on purchasing behaviour. However, a major gap still exists between attitude and pro-environmental behaviour caused by the need for greater environmental awareness, among other things. Therefore, knowing the environmental issues that worry consumers of agrifood products is important. This work digs deeper into this issue by analysing these environmental concerns and examining differences between countries with different levels of environmental sensitivity. CAWI methodology has been used to conduct an online survey in four countries (Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Denmark), with 3200 valid responses analysed using qualitative and quantitative techniques. The obtained results highlight the existence of 11 major environmental dimensions or issues for consumers of agri-food products. In addition, a correspondence analysis identifies two key factors, the first focused on a range of environmental problems of a more general nature and the second with greater interest focused on concern for biodiversity conservation. This study has implications for both the agri-food sector and European agricultural policy.

Micro Knowledge as a Driver for Systemic Emergencies Management: The Case of Xylella in Italy

AbstractDuring emergency production systems, supply chain stakeholders’ interactions, media activities, government actions, community behaviors are stressed bringing, all, to a high-risk perception about safety. For agri-food products, it became in a variation of consumers’ purchasing behaviors, guided by uncertainty and influenced by trust. The extant knowledge about consumers’ willingness to buy for agri-food products in emergency condition does not provide evidences during a phytosanitary warning. The proposed study, considering the Xylella fastidiosa phytosanitary emergency as case study, aims to fulfill this gap analyzing the possible variations of consumers’ perception and willingness to buy of Apulian olive oil in the era of Xylella emergence by adopting a multi-perspective and systemic approach. For achieving this scope, the study follows a Process-Person-Context-Time perspective for conceiving a systemic psychological model based on the Bronfenbrenner ecological model. Seven hypotheses were tested through Structural Equation Modeling thanks to a survey in a representative sample of 779 Italian consumers. Results showed that Italian consumer’s willingness to buy the post-Xylella olive oil can fluctuate due to the hypothesized system vulnerability: family, friends, and colleague such as trust in farmers and the credibility of Italian food market are impactful; trust in processors, transporters, and government and media is not. The findings, from theoretical and sectorial perspectives, provide new knowledge on the topic, empirical evidences, and a multi-systemic model able to analyze consumers’ behaviors, understand and stimulate the search for new (or more appropriate) marketing and communication strategies to face Xylella serious economic shortages, and to act a requalification of territory at all.

Analysis of Export Competitiveness of Agri-Food Products at the EU-27 Level through the Perspective of Technical Complexity

This paper aims to identify the export competitiveness of agri-food products at the level of the European Union Member States, considering indicators/elements belonging to technical innovation (technical complexity) as well as qualitative elements. The main research problem is to examine the differences in the technical complexity of agri-food exports (EXPY) between EU Member States. Through detailed analysis of product categories and Member States’ performance, we have identified significant differences in the technical complexity of exports. Products such as dairy, meat, cereal and vegetable preparations were associated with high technical complexity, while fruit, tobacco and oils were classified in the low technical complexity category. We also identified Member States with exports characterised by high technical complexity, including Cyprus, Ireland and Luxembourg, and those with low technical complexity, such as Slovakia, Latvia and Croatia. These findings suggest the influence of various factors, such as economic specialisation, natural resources and R&D investment on shaping the agri-food export landscape in the European Union. In-depth analysis of these issues provides significant insights for understanding the economic and technical dynamics in the European agri-food sector.

Determinants of Agri-food Investment from Fund Managers' Viewpoint

A more welcoming investment environment for the agri-food sector is envisioned as a result of the 2020 Venture Investment Promotion Act and the subsequently revised Act on Creation and Operation of Agricultural, Fisheries, and Food Investment Funds in South Korea. This study seeks to identify strategies to encourage venture investment for agri-food entrepreneurs by relying on these new legal environments. This study uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process to assess factors that facilitate investing based on a survey of fund managers and investment analysts who have invested in agri-food products. The findings indicate that the readiness of agri-food enterprises to adopt corporate-like management practices and their willingness to pursue commercialization are the primary determinants of investment facilitation. Deregulated investment environments and enhanced investor incentive systems rank as the second and third most significant determinants. The results offer insights into strategic policy initiatives aimed at increasing investment for startups, young entrepreneurs and venture farmers.

The Socio-Economic Role of Small Agribusiness in the Development of Modern Ukraine and Poland

Factors influencing the formation of the socio-economic role of small agribusiness, directions for establishing the institutional and organizational-economic structure of small-scale enterprises in the agricultural sector of Ukraine and Poland are singled out. An analysis of the activities of small agribusiness entities was carried out using statistical data from GUS (Central Statistical Office of Poland) and the State Statistics Service of Ukraine for the period from 2010 to 2020. The trends in running a craft business were disclosed. It has been demonstrated that the development of the agricultural sector is dominated by the direct freedom of decision-making and choice of producers. It was established that small agribusiness in Ukraine and Poland can meet the requirements of a competitive environment and function effectively under the conditions of coronavirus and war in Ukraine. The purpose of our research is to theoretically and methodologically justify scientific provisions and develop recommendations that will accumulate specific institutional and technological capabilities to produce necessary raw materials and create agri-food products in Ukraine and Poland. The methodological basis of the research includes fundamental principles of economic theory, management, and studies of scholars regarding the socio-economic role of small agribusiness in the conditions of war in Ukraine. Observation, sampling, and grouping methods were used for the theoretical justification in identifying problems in the development of small agricultural businesses; generalization and comparative analysis were employed to form the institutional and organizational-economic functionality of small-scale enterprises in the agricultural sector of Ukraine and rural areas, refine the conceptual framework, and draw conclusions and proposals on the selected topic.

Micrometric thermal electronic nose able to detect and quantify individual gases in a mixture

Recent urbanization and environmental problems urge for networks of sensors that can monitor air quality. Small, inexpensive, and smart sensors are one of the key components enabling the realization of such networks. Chemoresistive sensors are the ideal candidate, but they greatly lack selectivity, and for this reason, they are usually combined in arrays to create electronic noses, whose dimensions, however, make them not miniaturizable and cannot be integrated into portable devices. To overcome this inconvenience, we present a thermal electronic nose consisting of identical resistive sensors working at different temperatures so that the whole device is simple to make and tiny. The device contains two sensor arrays based on tin oxide nanowires decorated with Ag and Pt nanoparticles, respectively. The five sensors in each array are identical, but their response is differentiated by different temperatures locally generated by an on-chip integrated heater. This innovative approach allows the tiny array of five sensors together with the integrated heater to occupy only approximately 50 × 200 μm2 and consume only 120 μW. The tiny and portable device can estimate the concentration of H2 and NH3 in a mixture with a root mean square error of 6.1 ppm and 13.3 ppm, respectively, and it still works well after two months. The performance analysis of the double partial least squares regression used for concentration estimation also allows for feedback on which sensors are the most sensitive to which gas so that the electronic nose can be engineered for specific applications using the most suitable sensors. The size of the thermal electronic nose allows it to be integrated into portable and wearable devices, and its performance makes it suitable for any gas detection application. For example, a smartphone with an integrated sensor could carry out breath analysis and act as medical pre-screening or be used to evaluate the freshness of agri-food products in a rapid and non-invasive way.