Vegetable Supply Chain Research Articles

Order assignment and two-stage integrated scheduling in fruit and vegetable supply chains

Fruit and vegetable supply chains require tight integration due to freshness-keeping requirements during the post-harvest, production, and distribution stages. This paper addresses the scheduling problem of a two-stage flow shop in the fruit and vegetable supply chain involving procurement, production, distribution, and order assignment. The supply chain consists of contract growers, processors, and demand points. Growers and processors maintain limited capacity. Growers have processing lines to sort and grade fruits and vegetables, which are then shipped to processors for further processing. The first stage of the problem involves determining the production and distribution schedules of growers to processors. The second stage concerns assigning demand points to processors, scheduling production at processors, and distributing from processors to demand points. This paper considers its two sub-problems and proposes a mixed-integer linear programming problem: growers’ and processors’ production and distribution scheduling with order assignment. Also, we present two respective strongly polynomial algorithms for solving the two sub-problems. Besides, we develop a two-phase heuristic algorithm for the integrated problem by solving sub-problems together. We conduct computational experiments to justify the proposed algorithms and integration value. Computational results reveal that the proposed algorithms outperform the CPLEX on large-scale problem instances. Finally, we analyze the impacts of waste reduction, unit processing time and cost, and inbound and outbound shipping rates on supply chain performance, along with managerial insights.

Disinfection efficiency of chlorine dioxide and peracetic acid against MNV-1 and HAV in simulated soil-rich wash water

Wash water from fresh vegetables and root vegetables is an important vehicle for foodborne virus transmission. However, there is lack of assessing rapid viral inactivation strategies in wash water characterized by a high soil content at the post-harvest stage. Considering the significance of food safety during the washing stage for fresh and root vegetable produce prior to marketing, we assessed the inactivation efficacy by using chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and peracetic acid (PAA) against a surrogate of human norovirus (murine norovirus 1, MNV-1) and hepatitis A virus (HAV), in wash water containing black soil and clay loam. The results indicated that MNV-1 and HAV were reduced to the process limit of detection (PLOD), with reductions ranging from 4.89 to 6.35 log10 PFU, and 4.63 to 4.96 log10 PFU when treated with ClO2 at 2.5 ppm for 10 mins. Comparatively, when treated with 500 ppm of PAA for 10 mins, MNV-1 and HAV were maximum reduced to 1.75 ± 0.23 log10 PFU (4.50 log10 PFU reduction) and 2.13 ± 0.12 log10 PFU (2.72 log10 PFU reduction). This demonstrated the efficacy of ClO2 in eliminating foodborne viruses in soil-rich wash water. When we validated the recovery of the virus from two types of wash water, the pH (9.24 ± 0.33 and 5.95 ± 0.05) had no impact on the recovery of MNV-1, while the recovery of HAV was less than 1 %. By adjusting the pH to a neutral level, recovery of HAV and its RNA levels was increased to 15.94 and 3.89 %. Thus, this study emphasized the critical role of pH in the recovery of HAV from the complex soil-rich aqueous environment, and the efficacy of ClO2 serving as a pivotal reference for the development of control strategies against foodborne viruses in the supply chain of fresh and root vegetables.

Serotype Distribution, Antimicrobial Resistance, Virulence Genes, and Genetic Diversity of Salmonella spp. Isolated from small-scale Leafy Green Vegetable Supply Chains in South Africa

Salmonella have been implicated in foodborne disease outbreaks globally and is a pressing concern in the South African small-scale sector due to inadequate hygiene standards and limited regulatory oversight, leading to a higher risk of foodborne diseases. By investigating irrigation water and leafy green vegetables produced by small-scale growers and sold through unregulated supply chains, this study was able to determine the presence, serotype distribution, virulence gene profiles, antibiotic resistance, and genetic diversity of Salmonella isolated from these sources. From 426 samples, 21 Salmonella-positive samples were identified, providing 53 Salmonella isolates. Of these, six different Salmonella serotypes and sequence types (STs) were identified, including Salmonella II 42:r: ST1208 (33.96%; n = 18), Salmonella Enteritidis: ST11 (22.64%; n = 12), Salmonella II 42:z29: ST4395 (16.98%; n = 9), Salmonella Havana: ST1524 (15.09%; n = 8), Salmonella Typhimurium: ST19 (9.43%; n = 5), and Salmonella IIIb 47:i:z: ST7890 (1.89%; n = 1). A total of 92.45% of the isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant, showing high rates of resistance to aztreonam (88.68%; n = 47), ceftazidime (86.79%; n = 46), nalidixic acid (77.36%; n = 41), cefotaxime (75.47%; n = 40), cefepime (71.70%; n = 38), and streptomycin (69.81%; n = 37). All isolates possessed the aac(6')-Iaa antimicrobial resistance gene, with a range of between 9 and 256 virulence genes. Eleven cluster patterns were observed from Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus sequence analyses, demonstrating high diversity among the Salmonella spp., with water and fresh produce isolates clustering, suggesting water as a potential contamination source. Plasmid replicon types were identified in 41.51% (n = 22) of the isolates, including Col(pHAD28) in Salmonella Havana (5.66%; n = 3), Col156 in Salmonella II 42:z29:- (1.89%; n = 1) and both IncFIB(S) and IncFII(S) in Salmonella Enteritidis (22.64; n = 12), Salmonella Typhimurium (9.43%; n = 5), and Salmonella Havana (1.89%; n = 1). This study highlights the presence of multidrug-resistant and multivirulent Salmonella spp. in the small-scale leafy green vegetable supply chains, underscoring the need for the development of a “fit-for-purpose” food safety management system within this system.

Policy instruments to reduce food loss prior to retail – Perspectives of fruit and vegetable supply chain actors in Europe

Food loss and waste burdens the food system with an unnecessary use of natural resources such as soil, land and water as well as with the avoidable generation of further climate-relevant emissions. These negative externalities may provide a rationale for public sector intervention where feasible and efficient.Semi-structured interviews with 22 experts (farmers, producer organisations and retailers) in Germany and a questionnaire survey with 215 suppliers of a retailing company from Germany, Spain and Italy were conducted. The material reveals the perspectives and claims of relevant actors in upstream fruit and vegetable supply chains on political intervention.Stakeholders identified policy instruments from four overarching thematic categories: (I) communicative and cooperative policies, (II) subsidisation and food prices, (III) regulation and political framework conditions and (IV) questioning of necessity and effectiveness of food loss interventions. Four further categories of private sector measures were identified: (I) mechanisation, innovation and process optimisation, (II) communication and cooperation, (III) reconditioning and repackaging and (IV) processing, alternative marketing and redistribution.Issues that should be addressed by policy include consumer education and awareness, supply chain cooperation and power relations, food prices, marketing standards, alternative marketing and processing and promotion of technologies, infrastructure and agronomic practices to reduce food loss. The study shows that additional leverage points for policy action are still unrecognised and that stakeholders should be more involved in tackling the root causes of food loss. These policies should be holistically embedded in the sustainability transformation of the food system.

A Quality Traceability System for Fruit and Vegetable Supply Chain Based on Multi-Chain Blockchain

To enhance the efficiency and security of traceability in the fruit and vegetable industry, this paper proposes an optimized model based on multi-chain blockchain technology. Firstly, an analysis is conducted on the supply chain information of the fruit and vegetable industry, where traceability codes and product information from various stages of the supply chain are organized and extracted. Next, a trusted traceability optimization model is established based on blockchain technology. Finally, an information traceability system for the VFSC is implemented using Hyperledger fabric, and an improved Kafka load balancing algorithm is proposed to enhance message transmission efficiency. Simulation results demonstrate that the multi-chain traceability model proposed outperforms traditional single-chain blockchain models in terms of query efficiency when the number of data records exceeds 1000. After 10000 data records are deployed on the blockchain, the efficiency of the multi-chain model is improved by over 90% compared to the traditional single-chain model.

Seeking new strategic options for promotion of intermodal transport in perishables: The use of short sea shipping

The objective of this study is to find new options for the promotion of intermodality, based on short sea shipping, as applied to perishable products. At present, most of the transport is carried out by refrigerated trucks. In theory, this change would have positive effects on the environment and could even reduce transit costs, but companies are still hesitant to implement this practice. In this context, the present study aims to determine whether there are aspects other than operational considerations (e.g., time, cost, quality or environmental concerns) that condition modal shift. First, a literature review is conducted which attempts to identify both the strengths and weaknesses of intermodality in perishable transport. This review serves as the basis for the elaboration of a questionnaire targeting transport actors within the fruit and vegetable supply chain in southeastern Spain – the area taken as an application example. Next, the survey is used to determine the possible drivers that would favor a modal shift applying a structural equation analysis, corroborated with a traditional econometric model. As a result, the design of an overall strategy based on the creation of redistribution hubs at destination (i.e., located at ports), whose operations could be optimized through the digitization of the supply chain, appears to be a promising approach.

Circular supply chain governance for sustainable fresh agricultural products: Minimizing food loss and utilizing agricultural waste

Food loss and agricultural waste continue to pose challenges to sustainable agricultural development. The circular economy approach is believed to address these challenges. However, the implementation of this approach requires the participation of all supply chain actors, which must be coordinated through governance. This paper aims to comprehend how supply chain governance supports the implementation of the circular economy in order to minimize food loss and maximize agricultural waste utilization. This study employs a mixed-methods analysis using a quantitative survey and qualitative focus group discussion data. Vegetable and dairy supply chains in West Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, are the cases of this study. The results indicate that 35 % of food is lost along the vegetable supply chain that prioritizes traditional markets. In contrast, food loss for vegetable supply chains that prioritize modern markets is only 15 %. For dairy supply chains facilitated by cooperatives, the rate of food loss amounts to 7 %. The Study found that supply chain governance, encompassing coordinated production plans, selling systems, price mechanisms, packaging systems, and the management of low-quality products, all contribute to reducing food loss under the circular economy principles. In terms of agricultural waste, most vegetable and dairy farmers (80 % and 75 % of respondents respectively) do not manage their agricultural waste properly. For this, connecting supply and demand for agricultural waste and enhancing knowledge among farmers are essential. This paper concludes that coordination and information sharing within and between supply chain actors are required to address food loss and agricultural waste problems.

Hyperspectral Imaging for Fresh-Cut Fruit and Vegetable Quality Assessment: Basic Concepts and Applications

During the last two decades, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has been one of the most studied and applied techniques in the field of nondestructive monitoring systems for the fruit and vegetable supply chain. This review provides HSI technical aspects (i.e., device features) and data analysis approaches (i.e., data processing and qualitative/quantitative modeling) for fresh-cut products, focusing on the different applications which the literature offers and the possible scale-up for process monitoring. Moreover, new frontiers in the development of possible process analytical technologies of cost-effective and hand-held HSI devices are presented and discussed. Even though the performance of these new proximal sensing tools needs to be carefully evaluated, new applicative research perspectives in the development of a proximal sensing approach based on HSI sensor networks are ready to be studied and developed for finding field applications (i.e., precision agriculture, food processing, and more) and enabling faster and more convenient analysis while maintaining the accuracy and capabilities of traditional HSI systems.

Identifying the Potential Reasons Behind the Price-increasing Issues in Vegetable Supply Chain in Bangladesh and Proposing Possible Solutions

Agriculture is one of the largest employment sectors in Bangladesh, contributing 11.61% of GDP in the fiscal year 2021-22. This sector is contributing significantly even in the toughest situation of COVID-19. Farmers are the main actors behind this contribution. But we have seen farmers not getting a fair price for the vegetables they produce. On the contrary, when the same vegetables are coming to large cities, they are sold at higher prices. Our research tries to identify the potential causes behind the price-increasing issues of vegetables in the existing vegetable supply chain in Bangladesh. We also tried to recommend a solution to reduce the problem so that the farmers can get a better and fair price for the vegetables they produce. In this study, we tried to mention the reasons behind the price-increasing issues after conducting surveys. To conduct our research, we spoke with farmers and middlemen who are actively involved in the vegetable supply chain. Through our survey and after having conversations with them, we found out that both parties (farmers & middlemen) are dissatisfied with the current state. We came to know that the farmers feel the necessity of having a central supply chain system, and the middlemen are talking about the government's involvement in the whole process. When it comes to recommending a solution, we can't do a practical solution regarding the government's involvement. So, we proposed a central supply chain model that will help to minimize the price-increasing issues of vegetables in the vegetable supply chain in Bangladesh.

Implementation of information and communication technologies in fruit and vegetable supply chain: a systematic literature review

PurposeInformation and communication technology (ICT) implementation has demonstrated usefulness in supply chain coordination and efficiency optimization in various industries and sectors. This study investigates the extent of ICT deployment in fruits and vegetable supply chains (FVSC) from “farm-to-fork” to ensure food security.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employs a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology and identified a total of 99 journal articles ranging from 2001 to April 2023 for analysis. The reviewed articles have been classified based on the framework proposed from the perspective of food security. Bibliometric and content analysis is carried out with the final list of articles to extract useful insights.FindingsThe findings reveal that ICT implementation in FVSC is a relatively new research area; researchers have started investigating several aspects of ICT in FVSC through varied research methodologies. Experimental research aimed at addressing food safety and condition monitoring of fruits and vegetables (FV) has started to gain traction while theory building is yet to gain traction in the literature reviewed. Findings indicate further research is required on technologies like blockchain (BCT), artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), especially on key objectives such as food security, and the triple-bottom-line approach of sustainability. It also indicates that implementing relevant ICTs in FVSC can help delay, if not avert, the food crisis predicted by Malthusian theory.Research limitations/implicationsThis study used only well-established databases to ensure quality of the studies examined. There is a possibility of missing out on articles from other sources not considered. As a result, future SLR studies may employ additional databases, such as Springer Link, Taylor and Francis, Emerald Insight and Google Scholar. Other methodologies such as expert interviews and extra empirical methodologies may also be employed to give a more balanced picture and insights into ICTs implementation in FVSC.Practical implicationsThis study offers a summative detail of the status of ICT implementation in FVSC and can serve as a reference guide for stakeholders in developing strategies for efficient FVSC management. This research work highlights the impact of ICT implementation in FVSC on the four pillars of food security which include improved availability, accessibility, utilization and stability.Originality/valueThis study focuses on ICT implementation for food security in FVSC. The SLR highlights the gaps and proffers potential solutions that enhance global efforts on food security through ICT-enabled reduction in food waste and food loss in FVSC.

Product specifications and business practices as food loss drivers – A case study of a retailer's upstream fruit and vegetable supply chains

The issue of food loss and waste is vital for minimising resource consumption and CO2 emissions. In particular, reducing fruit and vegetable loss and waste would contribute to keeping the food system within planetary boundaries. At the same time, food loss occurrence from primary production up to the store is underestimated and receives relatively little scientific and political attention. This case study focuses on specific food loss drivers, namely retailers' quality standards and business practices. It provides answers to the questions of how and to which extent standards and practices of the large German retailing company Lidl induce food loss in the upstream supply chain of 12 fruit and vegetable crops. To this end, we conducted qualitative interviews with supply chain actors, followed by an online survey with Lidl suppliers from Germany, Italy, and Spain. Our results indicate that, on average, 15% of the total production in the field ready for harvest does not comply with the retailer's product requirements. While most of it is marketed elsewhere, around 6% of the total production become food loss (non-harvest, animal feed, disposal, non-food items) as a direct consequence of these requirements. Retailer-specific pesticide residue limits and calibre (mass and size) followed by shape and sorting requirements are the most relevant product standards inducing food loss. The retailer's business practices such as insufficiently synchronised advertisement campaigns, return deliveries, short-notice quantity call-offs and improvable quantity planning and ordering processes add onto this. Many suppliers do not view the retailer-specific product requirements and practices as drivers of food loss and report low shares of substandard products. However, methodological constraints must be considered, such as potential selection biases, underreporting in questionnaire surveys and the study focus on suppliers rather than upstream primary producers. From this study, concrete recommendations can be drawn for retailers to adjust and handle their product requirements and business practices in order to prevent food loss at upstream supply chain stages.

Promoting Sustainable Fruit and Vegetable Biowaste Management and Industrial Symbiosis through an Innovative Web Platform

Sustainable bioeconomy is a promising pathway towards the transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy. The valorization of biowaste is a key player in this direction. This paper presents the design and development of the AgriPLaCE Platform, which aims to promote synergies that enable the utilization of biowaste from the fruit and vegetable supply chain. The platform consists of the AgriPLaCE Waste Management Database, which provides users with an extended list of potential utilization methods for various types of fruit and vegetable biowaste streams, and the AgriPLaCE Synergies Tool, which facilitates synergies between different actors involved in the biowaste-to-resource value chain from agricultural waste production to waste treatment and new valuable products’ exploitation. Initially, the conceptual design of both tools took place based on analysis of user needs and services alongside the system architecture. Following this, the AgriPLaCE Platform was developed with the implementation of all the necessary subsystems. The results of the platform’s implementation demonstrated its potential to generate multiple collaborations and synergies while users can also deepen their knowledge about alternative and emerging treatment technologies and valuable products from a wide range of fruit and vegetable biowaste streams.

Investigation of Bruise Damage and Storage on Cucumber Quality

Bruise damage is one of the mechanical injuries that fresh produce can sustain during the postharvest supply chain. The study investigated the effect of drop impact levels, storage temperatures, and the storage period on the quality changes of cucumbers. A known mass ball was used to damage cucumbers once from three different drop heights (30, 60, and 90 cm) before they were stored for 24 days at 5 °C, 10 °C, and 22 °C. The data showed that the bruise area (BA), bruise susceptibility (BS), yellowness, and chroma* increased with the increase in the drop height and storage temperature. The study found that the bruise area (BA) and bruise susceptibility (BS) of the damaged cucumbers increased substantially (p < 0.05) with the increase in storage temperature and drop height. Due to the increment in drop height, storage temperature, and the storage period, the weight loss (Wl)% significantly increased after 24 days of storage. The storage period affects the firmness of damaged cucumbers stored in all storage conditions. The highest value of lightness (L*) was observed for the cucumbers bruised from the 60 cm drop height and stored at 22 °C with a value of 43.08 on day 24 of storage. Hue*, redness (a*), and total soluble solids (TSS) were all unaffected by the drop height. This study can serve as a resource for horticultural researchers and experts involved in the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain. The study pays attention to the importance of postharvest supply chain activities, such as handling and storage to maintain the quality and prolong the shelf life of perishable produce, such as cucumbers.

The Role of Policymakers in Potential Strengthening to Improve the Safety of the Vegetable in the Supply Chain: SWOT Analysis during COVID-19

Background: Fresh vegetables can play an important role in health and food security. This study aimed to assess the safety of the vegetable supply chain in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic by strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis.
 Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted in two phases in 2021. First, in the cross-sectional study, 192 staff were randomly selected from five major centers of vegetable retail centers. Then, semi-structured interviews were done with ten stakeholders, and a SWOT analysis was completed.
 Results: Half of the participants had desirable hygienic practices, 39.6% had acceptable, and 8.9% had weak practice scores. The practice of participants whose educational level was BSc and above was better than that of illiterates (OR =15.38, 95% CI =1.61-14.57, P=0.01). SWOT analysis results identified a poor shelf-life of vegetables, weak technology in planting, harvesting, and distributing vegetables.
 Conclusion: Policymakers can utilize the practical solutions for taking action in the potential strengthening of vegetable safety in the supply chain to improve public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rantai Pasok Sayuran Hidroponik Di Pasar Modern Dian Pertiwi Kota Ambon

Hydroponic vegetables are horticultural commodities that are very important to meet the nutritional needs of the community. The increase in population also contributes to the increase in demand for horticultural commodities. One of the vegetable commodities produced is hydroponic vegetables. The increasing demand for hydroponic vegetables has led to the emergence of hydroponic entrepreneurs who have begun to develop hydroponic vegetable commodities, but problems with meeting demand arise due to the limited supply of hydroponic vegetables. This study aims to determine the supply chain of hydroponic vegetables in the modern market of Dian Pertiwi Poka, Ambon City and to determine marketing margins and marketing efficiency in the supply chain. The data collected in this study are primary data and secondary data. The results of this study indicate that the supply chain of hydroponic vegetables in the Dian Pertiwi supermarket through the supply chain, namely: Dian Pertiwi supermarket → consumers. Based on the marketing analysis of lettuce hydroponic vegetables and pakcoy the marketing margin on the hydroponic lettuce supply chain is Rp. 14,985 and pakcoy Rp. 14,250. The most efficient marketing is the marketing of pakcoy vegetables with an efficiency value of 19.04 percent

Pandemic Produce: Impacts of COVID-19 on Florida’s Fruit and Vegetable Industries

Abstract Florida has one of the most diverse agricultural economies in the United States, producing several dozen types of fruits and vegetables that are consumed within the state, across the country, and around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting policy responses occurred during the peak of spring harvest season for many crops in Florida, abruptly removing market demand from the food service industry and shifting consumer purchasing habits, which enabled insights into several aspects of the fruit and vegetable supply chain. This article examines how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted fruit and vegetable industries in Florida, how these industries responded to COVID-19 impacts, and how Florida’s experience compared to that of other states. Data are derived from several sources including a statewide survey that measured agricultural production losses in Florida resulting from COVID-19 in early 2020, interviews with Florida operations that provided insights into how the pandemic induced change across the food supply chain, and a survey of food supply chain operations in three regions of the United States conducted in 2021.

Cold supply chain of leafy green vegetables: a social network analysis approach

PurposeCold supply chain technology is critical for extending the shelf life of perishable leafy green vegetables. This study aims to investigate the concept of managing leafy green products using cold supply chain technology and visualise the findings.Design/methodology/approachUsing expert interviews and data visualisation approaches, this study examines how organisations deal with the complexity of cold supply chain processes and networks. Thematic data analysis was conducted. Two types of software were used to accomplish the research objectives. The first software used AntConc version 3.5.8 with word frequency (N-gram) analysis, whereas the second software, VOSViewer offered co-occurrence network visualisation and cluster analysis.FindingsThe findings show that the appropriate design of cold chain technology is critical in ensuring the freshness and quality of leafy green vegetables. The primary goal of managing the complexity of the cold supply chain is to achieve product freshness and energy efficiency. Regardless of the importance of energy efficiency, cold supply chains require warehouse management solutions for transportation and storage.Practical implicationsThis study found that proper design and selection of appropriate technology in the cold supply chain have driven the companies to improve the firms’ competitive advantage while delivering the best quality of perishable leafy green food products. In addition, the freshness, quality, safety, and health of leafy green vegetables will be determined by the company’s capacity to handle long-distance transportation and select the appropriate distribution channels and storage. Warehouse management system technology was found to be secondary compared to cold chain technology, although distribution and warehousing practices are critical for supply chain performance.Originality/valueThis study has established the conceptual indicators based on best practices and outcomes for the cold supply chain. This study argued that cold supply chain management and performance should be monitored independently. Furthermore, the theory of technological adoption can be expanded to include product nature as a driver. Finally, this study has established cold chain best practices based on a perishable supply chain perspective. The findings of this study can promote healthy foods to solve zero hunger and achieve sustainable development goals. Although this study demonstrates that technology improves supply chain practises, cold storage and logistics benefit the most from technological advancements. In contrast, non-cold supply chains benefit from technology-driven improvements in performance.

When increasing vegetable production may worsen food availability gaps: A simulation model in India

Translating agricultural productivity into food availability depends on food supply chains. Agricultural policy and research efforts promote increased horticultural crop production and yields, but the ability of low-resource food supply chains to handle increased volumes of perishable crops is not well understood. This study developed and used a discrete event simulation model to assess the impact of increased production of potato, onion, tomato, brinjal (eggplant), and cabbage on vegetable supply chains in Odisha, India. Odisha serves as an exemplar of vegetable supply chain challenges in many low-resource settings.Model results demonstrated that in response to increasing vegetable production 1.25-5x baseline amounts, demand fulfillment at the retail level fluctuated by + 3% to −4% from baseline; in other words, any improvements in vegetable availability for consumers were disproportionately low compared to the magnitude of increased production, and in some cases increased production worsened demand fulfillment. Increasing vegetable production led to disproportionately high rates of postharvest loss: for brinjal, for example, doubling agricultural production led to a 3% increase in demand fulfillment and a 19% increase in supply chain losses. The majority of postharvest losses occurred as vegetables accumulated and expired during wholesale-to-wholesale trade.In order to avoid inadvertently exacerbating postharvest losses, efforts to address food security through agriculture need to ensure that low-resource supply chains can handle increased productivity. Supply chain improvements should consider the constraints of different types of perishable vegetables, and they may need to go beyond structural improvements to include networks of communication and trade.

Consumers’ interest and willingness to pay for traceable vegetables- An empirical evidence from Bangladesh

Urban consumers’ concerns have focused attention on whether a food traceability system should be implemented in Bangladesh to minimize the production and distribution of unsafe and poor-quality food products. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 220 consumers in two main cities Dhaka and Mymensingh of Bangladesh to examine the traceability system in the vegetable supply chain from an ex-ante perspective. The objective is to identify the preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for the traceability attributes and examine the factors influencing their WTP for traceable vegetables. The results show that over 90% of the consumers put their emphasis on traceability attributes associated with: pesticides and last date of spraying information, fertilizer information, and harvest date. On the other hand, over 85% of consumers showed interest in GM information of vegetables. The mean WTP is found to be 5.84 Tk. (US$0.068) and 5.90 Tk. (US$0.069) per kg respectively for brinjal and tomatoes. This reflects a 19.5% and 19.7% additional monetary payment over and above the purchase price for conventional brinjal and tomatoes respectively. The empirical findings indicate that income and quality perception scores have positive and significant effects on consumer WTP for traceable brinjal and tomatoes.

A case of fresh fruits and vegetables supply chain performance improvement: a system dynamics modelling and analysis

A case of fresh fruits and vegetables supply chain performance improvement: a system dynamics modelling and analysis