Logistics 4.0 in the agri-food supply chain with blockchain: a case study

Blockchain is an emerging technology with the potential to radically transform logistics in the highly complex environment of the agri-food supply chain. The key challenges of the agri-food sector include overcoming the limitations (time, cost and quality) to developing global and efficient transparency and traceability of food, eliminating expensive intermediaries, and ensuring no disruption between suppliers and retailers. This paper describes a practical approach by not only using smart contracts to integrate various stakeholders but also incorporating a Public Participation Geographic Information System platform to ensure traceability of the operations conducted in an agri-food supply chain. As a factor in improving distribution and minimising intermediaries, third-party logistics participation is included in this research. Through a case study, the entities and interactions between processes within a blockchain system based on a smart contract are identified. The findings reveal an innovative blockchain approach to logistics in the agri-food supply chain.

Automated summary

Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize logistics in the complex agri-food supply chain. This research addresses the key challenges in the sector, such as global transparency and traceability of food, eliminating intermediaries, and ensuring uninterrupted operations between suppliers and retailers. By utilizing smart contracts and a Public Participation Geographic Information System platform, this paper presents a practical approach to ensure traceability in the agri-food supply chain. The study also includes the involvement of third-party logistics to improve distribution and minimize intermediaries. Through a case study, the interactions and entities within a blockchain system based on smart contracts are identified, highlighting the innovative potential of blockchain in agri-food logistics.