Postharvest supply chain losses: a state-of-the-art literature review and bibliometric analysis

Abstract

PurposeThe literature review of post-harvest supply chain (PHSC) losses is carried out and analyzed in this paper followed by bibliometric analysis of the literature.Design/methodology/approachThe literature survey is performed across various dimensions such as PHSC losses, PHSC risks and PHSC sustainability (waste management and waste reduction). One hundred thirty research articles during the period of 1989–2020 were considered for the review.FindingsThe PHSC losses have been identified in this literature survey. The calculation and mitigation strategies stated by various researchers in the literature are addressed. The important loss mitigation dynamics are also presented to reduce the PHSC losses and to improve food availability.Research limitations/implicationsThe major focus is given on the PHSC of agriculture produces. However, research articles from fish and meat supply chain are excluded as they follow a different perishability curve.Practical implicationsThe current work will add value to the agriculture supply chain literature, provide a platform for PHSC losses and provide assistance/guideline toward loss calculation, loss mitigation, improved rural employability, improved rural entrepreneurship and improved revenue generation.Social implicationsThe performed research will assist the researchers, entrepreneurs and farmers to understand the current scenario of food wastage at different stages of the supply chain better. It will provide the guidelines for calculation and mitigation of various stated PHSC losses. This study will be helpful to enhance food availability and food security in post-coronavirus crisis.Originality/valueThe paper explores and highlights PHSC loss calculations and mitigation strategies to identify the postharvest loss situation and better utilization of fresh produces.

Analyzing the post-harvest supply chain enablers of vertical integration for rural employability and marketability

“…The implementation of vertical integration will not only improve product availability and marketability but will also reduce produce spoilage at supply chain junctions and supply chain costs in the developing nations. The concerns for market prospects and rural employability via vertical integration will improve by working upon strategic and tactical frontier initiatives (Whipple and Gentry, 2000; Deakins et al , 2016; Priyadarshi et al , 2019; Priyadarshi et al , 2020). The reliability test results indicated that the selected PHCEs pose a significant impact on rural produce marketability, rural employment and business sustainability with vertical integration.…”

“…The CFA was used to observe the model fit with the help of empirical data (Zahay and Griffin, 2010; Ferro et al , 2017). The PHSCEs to be worked upon to improve market prospects and rural employability via vertical integration as strategic initiatives are ITR, IIV, TII, ASC, EDS and EFS (Kononets and Treiblmaier, 2020; Priyadarshi et al , 2020). The initiatives to be worked upon as tactical initiatives are DVI, AOW, TAA and GIV.…”

“…The initiatives to be worked upon as tactical initiatives are DVI, AOW, TAA and GIV. Finally, the PHSCEs to be worked upon as CMR are DRM, AFE and PMF (Fernando et al , 2019; Priyadarshi et al , 2020).…”

“…Some of the recent notable examples are to make jam from berries in Denmark (Korsgaard et al , 2015), horticulture and dairy in New Zealand (Deakins et al , 2016), olive oil soaps, mushroom farming and value addition, cultivation of export quality raspberries, blueberries and honey in Portugal (Pato and Teixeira, 2018), honey production in New Zealand (Duarte Alonso et al , 2020a), bakery business in the UK (Duarte Alonso et al , 2020b) and milk production in Indonesia (Kania et al , 2021). This implementation will improve the brand recognition for rural entrepreneurs/produces leading to business sustainability (Shelman et al , 2016; Priyadarshi et al , 2019; Priyadarshi et al , 2020). There is an example of a herbal products manufacturing organization, that has opted not to adapt/continue third party manufacturing (i.e.…”

A Systematic Review of Sustainable Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Supply Chains

“…Lezoche et al [106] examined the future of agri-food and asserted that adopting new technologies would improve various components of the system. Priyadarshi et al [107] reviewed postharvest supply chain losses. Articles published between 1989 and 2020 were considered in this review paper.…”