innovations in agro-food logistics

Innovations in Agro-Food Logistics

Prof. dr. ir. Jack G.A.J. van der Vorst Februari 20, 2014

Key decisions in Agro-Logistics

Producer Processor/ industry LSP Wholesale/

Retail Consumer

- Inventory control (which products, amounts, where and when …)

- Network design (factories; DC’s; Retailers)

- Transportation (collection; routing; loading ...)

- Production (planning; blending; scheduling …)

- Integral aspects (Supply Chain Management)

… of vegetable or animal-based products.

Some global challenges

Source: CEO CSIRO Clark (2011)

Key issues in Global Agro-Logistics Networks

Cost reduction and increase of reliability/flexibility ● Low utilization of means (<50%)

● Difficult to get products in and out of megacity centres

● Lack of fast and reliable transport networks: sensitive to disturbances

Food security, food quality and food losses ● Ensuring access to local markets and reduce losses (30-40% of food lost!)

● Increasing consumer discern towards safe, healthy and quality food

Request for traceability and sustainability ● Many foodmiles/CO2 emissions due to global sourcing

● Transparency in food chain “from farm gate to food plate”

● Sustainable supply chain strategies (water, carbon, energy footprints)

Food loss reduction needed

Source: Lipinski et al., WRI 2013

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