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Exploring the role of blockchain technology in modern high-value food supply chains: global trends and future research directions

Author

Listed:
  • Giulia Chiaraluce

    (Università Politecnica Delle Marche)

  • Deborah Bentivoglio

    (Università Politecnica Delle Marche)

  • Adele Finco

    (Università Politecnica Delle Marche)

  • Mariantonietta Fiore

    (University of Foggia)

  • Francesco Contò

    (University of Foggia)

  • Antonino Galati

    (University of Palermo)

Abstract

Trust, safety, and quality are among the most important factors in the agri-food supply chains. Traceability is a powerful tool to ensure them, but implementing a transparent and effective system is a complex operation. As a result, innovative systems, like blockchain, could be introduced. Although research on its impacts in the agri-food is recent, the literature appears fragmented. The objective is to investigate the studied aspects of the blockchain adoption in agri-food, with the purpose of retrieving meaningful considerations about the current state of the art about strategic high-value supply chains, such as wine and olive oil, particularly subjected to fraudulent behaviors. A productivity measurement was applied to retrieve the evolution of the number of documents through the years, the most productive countries, the sources, the research areas, and the most significant papers in terms of number of citations received. To understand the research trends, a co-occurrence analysis was employed. Results show that most of the existing studies focus on the role of blockchain in the resolution of some critical issues as food safety and frauds. While wine is currently an emerging sector in which this approach can be implemented, olive oil still needs more attention. In both cases, blockchain could potentially help to support the profitability and sustainability of the production. The research underlines the importance of focusing on the environmental and social dimension of the blockchain phenomenon and the use of technology to improve the efficiency of agri-food chains and reduce waste and resource use.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Chiaraluce & Deborah Bentivoglio & Adele Finco & Mariantonietta Fiore & Francesco Contò & Antonino Galati, 2024. "Exploring the role of blockchain technology in modern high-value food supply chains: global trends and future research directions," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 12(1), pages 1-22, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:agfoec:v:12:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s40100-024-00301-1
    DOI: 10.1186/s40100-024-00301-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Graziella Benedetto & Maria Bonaventura Forleo, 2024. "PDO Economy and Quality Agri-Food District in the wine sector: Blockchain and digitalization as tools for the twin transition," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2024(3), pages 187-213.

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