Blockchain in food supply chains: a literature review and synthesis analysis of platforms, benefits and challenges

The globalisation of the food industry increases the complexity and the difficulty in enhancing efficiency and solving issues in food supply chains. Blockchain is a promising decentralised information technology that could benefit food supply chains by reducing transaction cost and time, increasing process transparency, security, and efficiency, as well as building trust among participants. In this paper, we introduce the major blockchain platforms currently used in food supply chains and conduct a synthesis analysis to explore the benefits and challenges of blockchain technology in the food industry. We demonstrate that blockchain enables unprecedented visibility at each step of the food supply chain, helps increase transaction transparency, food safety, and quality, and also reduces food fraud and waste. Furthermore, it serves as a digital solution for reducing operational costs and improving efficiency in food supply chains.

Automated summary

The globalization of the food industry has made improving efficiency and solving supply chain issues increasingly complex. Blockchain technology shows promise in addressing these challenges by reducing transaction costs and time, increasing transparency, security, and efficiency, as well as establishing trust among participants. This paper introduces major blockchain platforms used in food supply chains and analyzes the benefits and challenges they bring to the food industry. The study demonstrates that blockchain provides unprecedented visibility throughout the food supply chain, improves transaction transparency, food safety, and quality, and reduces food fraud and waste. In addition, it serves as a digital solution for reducing operational costs and improving efficiency in food supply chains.