Abstract Agrifood start-ups are increasingly considered important drivers of innovation and transformation within the agrifood sector. Under-standing how start-up development can be empirically assessed is therefore highly relevant for policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders. This study examines whether conceptual development stage models can be operationalised and empirically linked to observable indicators of start-up growth. The analysis is based on a quantitative survey of 110 German agrifood start-ups. To address endogeneity concerns related to stage classification, an IV-LASSO approach combining instrumental variable selection and least ab-solute shrinkage and selection operator analysis is developed and applied. The results indicate that start-ups in later development stages employ significantly more workers than firms in earlier stages, suggesting that stage progression is associated with increasing organisational growth and resource accumulation. The findings demonstrate the empirical applicability of stage-based development models for analysing agrifood start-ups and provide a framework for assessing entrepreneurial development in emerging innovation sectors.
Abstract Effective stakeholder engagement in decisions about complex systems involving sustainable agribusiness requires substantial time and resources by both the managers involved in a supply chain and their stakeholders. Therefore, it is important to understand how to design and implement business strategies that integrate stakeholder perspectives as the project develops. The objective of this article is to explore how actors interested in sustainable and resilient agribusinesses can effectively involve stakeholders in supporting strategies to advance a circular carbon bioeconomy. We consider an approach for stakeholder engagement based on six principles: diversity, listening, value, trust, accountability, and flexibility/ adaptability. Practical means for agribusinesses to apply the six principles to the circular carbon bioeconomy are discussed along with challenges encountered when applying them. Managerial choices and engagement designs and practices are specific to each type of agribusiness. Employing this approach can help project developers prioritize, prepare, and sustain stakeholder engagement, and build local capacities for continual improvement and informed decisions aligned with more sustainable business strategies.
Abstract This paper explores the acceptance of New Genomic Techniques in agriculture, with a focus on Slovak farmers. As the European Commission proposed a revised legal framework to distinguish New Genomic Techniques from genetically modified organisms, understanding stakeholder views is crucial for informed policymaking. Our research integrates a representative survey of farmers and a discrete choice experiment used to estimate a willingness to adopt crop varieties derived by New Genomic Techniques in Slovakia. The results show that farmers value agronomic traits like yield and stress tolerance but are cautious about crops derived by New Genomic Techniques, often requiring a price premium.
Abstract The global energy transition has increased the demand for renewable feedstocks and circular business models, highlighting biomass supply chains as a strategic component of the emerging bioeconomy. In Brazil, sugarcane straw has become a promising yet complex residual biomass for the production of advanced biofuels. Despite its potential, the market remains fragmented, marked by high coordination costs, uncertainty, and institutional asymmetries that hinder efficiency and investment. This article analyses the dynamics of the residual biomass market from the perspective of the New Institutional Economics, focusing on governance structures and option costs. A theoretical–analytical approach, supported by empirical evidence from the Brazilian sugarcane sector, is employed to connect the heterogeneity of suppliers, the physicochemical specificity of the asset, and organizational and contractual arrangements between producers and biorefineries. The results indicate that hybrid governance structures, based on flexible contracts and cooperative arrangements, are the most effective in reducing transaction costs and ensuring supply stability. Information asymmetry and opportunistic behaviour remain critical challenges but can be mitigated through certification schemes, contract standardisation, and greater market transparency. The study concludes that efficient governance is a key condition for consolidating the bioeconomy, providing analytical foundations for dynamic modelling and for designing public–private coordination strategies in advanced biofuel markets.
Abstract Driven by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, short food supply chains (SFSCs) become viable alternatives to conventional food supply chains and regain more public attention. This study aims to investigate consumer preferences and willingness to pay for SFSCs food products in China during COVID-19 pandemic. Based on an online discrete choice experiment conducted with 803 urban consumers in three cities of China, consumers’ preferences for raw beef products with multiple SFSCs attributes, including less intermediaries, geographical proximity and organized proximity, are examined in this study. The results reveal that consumers show significantly higher preferences for foods with SFSCs attributes during COVID-19 pandemic. SFSCs attribute with traceable information is significantly valued most by consumers with the highest WTP estimates, followed by locally supplied, having 0–1 intermediary, and domestically supplied. Significantly positive correlation exists between premiums for traceable attribute of SFSCs and consumers’ perceived risks of COVID-19. Consumer preferences for SFSCs attributes reveal diversity and heterogeneity. The study provides evidence for understanding consumer preferences toward SFSCs during public health emergencies. The findings have policy implications for developing multiple types of SFSCs and enhancing the resilience of urban food supply system to respond to food supply crises triggered by public emergencies.
Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate how to improve the order picking process in the seafood industry. Experimental design and simulation analysis were employed to enhance the overall reduction of order picking time in cases of low demand and various customer behaviours. Specific factors influencing the above issue, namely the storage method, the location of the collecting point, and the picking sequence, were evaluated and determined using metaheuristic algorithms such as Hill Climbing and Simulated Annealing. Based on the findings in this work, the optimum design was configured as a combination of class-based storage, hill-climbing picking sequence, and mid-collecting points, resulting in a total picking time reduction of 26.05 minutes per order, having a 78.27% decrease. Overall, the methods used in this study provide valuable insights for the seafood industry, potentially leading to significant improvements in overall production.
Abstract This Special Issue examines how fragility and conflict affect food security outcomes by reshaping food supply chains. It collates evidence that collectively suggests global hunger arises less from insufficient production than from systemic disruptions in logistics, institutions, and the lack of coordination within fragile settings. The issue draws upon evidence from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and the contributions are organized around three analytical pillars: macro-level shocks, meso-level supply chain fragility, and micro-level adaptive responses. Studies on conflict and infrastructure failures illustrate how political instability, energy crises, and war propagate through trade and transport systems, undermining market connectivity. Midstream analyses reveal that disruptions in processing, information provision, and service provision amplify food insecurity, while micro-level case studies show how producers and firms strategize under uncertainty. Together, the findings highlight that food insecurity is a systemic outcome of disrupted coordination among actors rather than reduced agricultural output. The issue calls for strengthening institutional linkages, technological innovation, and midstream capacity building to develop and sustain resilient food systems. It offers a framework for policymakers, researchers, and agribusiness managers to improve food system resilience by strengthening markets, institutions, and adaptive capacity.
The 2024 IFAMA World Conference convened scholars and practitioners at a pivotal moment for global food and agricultural systems, marked by heightened climate risk, sustainability pressures, and accelerating technological change. This editorial introduces a special conference section of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review featuring five peer-reviewed contributions: three research articles, and Together, these papers address critical challenges in contemporary agribusiness management, including risk management, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration, innovation, and strategic decision-making across developed and emerging markets. Drawing on diverse methodologies and industry editorial synthesizes the common themes across the contributions and situates them within broader debates shaping the future of food and agribusiness management.
Abstract Public discourse and policymakers increasingly promote regional food supply chains as sustainable and resilient alternatives to global networks. Yet the meaning of regionality remains opaque: political boundaries, radial measures and time-based definitions are used in parallel within food value chains. This study investigates how alternative definitions of regionality affect logistics efficiency in perishable agri-food supply chains, using a model-based scenario analysis with two case studies of fresh-cut fruit and vegetable distribution in Germany. Employing spatial analysis, vehicle routing models and Monte Carlo simulations, we compare the effect of alternative definitions of regionality on fleet size, delivery times, and customer coverage. Findings reveal that distance-based definitions of regionality improve efficiency, while political borders often impose arbitrary constraints, particularly for firms located at the periphery of administrative units. This suggests that regionality concepts should be developed further towards more transparent and flexible definitions that reconcile consumer trust with logistical realities and producer viability.
Florida is a significant producer in the domestic and global orange juice markets. However, Florida producers have faced substantial challenges over the past two decades, including the spread of citrus greening disease and recurring extreme weather events such as hurricanes and freezes. This study examines Florida's rapidly changing orange juice industry by integrating supply chain mapping with a resilience framework and Actor-Network Theory (ANT). Focusing on three supply chain sectors: production and imports, processing and distribution, and retail and consumption, we uncover how sustained production declines have reshaped supply chain relationships, coordination mechanisms and market dynamics across the network. We identify adaptations including increased consolidation and reliance on imported orange juice. We highlight that resilience is enacted through the evolving relationships among human and non-human actors, where continuous negotiation, adaptation, and reconfiguration of roles enable the system to maintain functionality despite
Abstract The dietary quality of rural residents is critical to food security and sustainable development goals, while the escalating frequency of extreme weather events induced by climate change is exacerbating the vulnerability of dietary transition in developing countries. Using the Climate Physical Risk Database and rural household food consumption data from Chinese provinces during 2005–2022, this study employs a fixed-effects model to estimate the relationship between extreme weather and rural dietary quality and its transmission mechanisms. Empirical results show that extreme weather significantly reduces intakes of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, while paradoxically increasing dietary diversity through substitution toward alternative food sources. Mechanistic analyses reveal that climate shocks disrupt agricultural production, trigger volatility in agricultural product prices, and depress rural household incomes, collectively degrading dietary quality by altering consumption budget constraints. Heterogeneity analysis highlights heightened vulnerability among rural populations in production-consumption balanced regions and the Western Region. Policy recommendations emphasize the need to strengthen climate early-warning systems, implement targeted dietary subsidies for vulnerable groups, and foster resilient agricultural markets to mitigate supply-demand disruptions.
Abstract The frequency and severity of extreme weather events in China have been increasing, posing significant threats to yield stability. As a potential strategy, internet use presents a promising avenue to empower smallholder farmers. This study is based on a survey of 1602 rice farmers in China’s major grain-producing areas and employs a fixed-effects model to examine how internet use helps reduce yield losses induced by extreme weather shocks. Our results indicate that internet use is significantly associated with lower yield loss, largely by facilitating timely adoption of adaptive technologies. The relationship varies by weather type: internet use shows the strongest association with loss reduction under high temperatures and drought, but limited correlation in the case of floods, likely due to their abrupt nature and constrained response options. Farmers with limited digital literacy do not typically benefit directly from internet use but could acquire indirect benefits through knowledge sharing with more capable peers. These findings highlight the critical need to expand rural internet infrastructure and enhance farmers’ digital literacy to effectively utilize information as a strategy for adapting to climate change impacts in agricultural systems.
Abstract This study examines how smallholder farmers’ participation in horizontal (HDL; crop specialization) and vertical (VDL; outsourced services) divisions of labor affects green production behavior. Using three-wave panel data from the Chinese Family Database (CFD) and China Household Finance Survey (CHFS), we employ a finite mixture model to construct a green production index and estimate panel fixed-effects models. Results indicate that HDL negatively influences green production behavior, whereas VDL has a positive effect. Mechanism analyses suggest that VDL enhances green production by alleviating physical capital constraints, compensating for human capital limitations, and strengthening social capital through embedded service networks. In contrast, HDL lacks such compensatory mechanisms and may increase the intensity of chemical inputs under limited capital endowment. Furthermore, the effects of HDL and VDL exhibit heterogeneity across farm size, agricultural income, digital finance access, and precipitation intensity: HDL’s adverse effects are more pronounced among small-scale and non-users of digital finance, while VDL’s benefits are strongest for lower-precipitation regions and those with limited land and agricultural income and low digital financial inclusion. Notably, we identify a synergistic interaction between HDL and VDL, whereby the intensification of one helps mitigate the limitations of the other, fostering further progress in green production behavior.
Abstract Global agri-food systems face unprecedented volatility, which necessitates a transition towards systemic robustness. This special issue, developed in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank Institute, addresses critical research gaps regarding both spatial and structural interdependencies in food systems. Centered on two pillars of transformation, i.e., inter-regional connectivity and urban-rural integration, the collection presents eight papers spanning advanced and emerging countries. The research explores diverse areas of resilience, ranging from macro-level disruptions such as the global fertilizer crisis, trade barriers to agricultural intermediates, and the systemic impacts of emerging trade wars, to micro-level challenges such as digital adaptation, supply chain bottlenecks, and climate shocks to nutritional security. The research findings offer insights for both scholars and practitioners to foster sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agri-food transformations amid persistent exogenous shocks.
This case study analyses Savannah & Sahel Commodities Limited’s (SSCL) innovative raw material sourcing strategy and its role in delivering affordable, nutritious foods to address malnutrition in West Africa. The model integrates smallholder farmers into formal supply chains through out-grower schemes, cooperative development, and diversified sourcing of commodities including maize, soybeans, sesame, and shea nuts. Strategic partnerships with local governments and international organizations support cost-efficient production, enabling the provision of nutrient-rich meals to over 150 000 households and 200 000 schoolchildren in Ghana. Empirical evidence indicates substantial improvements in farmer incomes alongside increased market penetration in rural areas with high malnutrition prevalence. The study demonstrates how linking sourcing innovations to nutrition-sensitive value chains can simultaneously enhance rural livelihoods, strengthen food system resilience, and expand market opportunities for agribusinesses. The findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars seeking scalable models for sustainable agricultural development and nutrition interventions in low-income contexts.
Abstract The most recent disruption of the global fertilizer supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict resulted in a global fertilizer crisis characterized by unprecedented price hikes and shortages. Africa relies heavily on fertilizer imports to satisfy its consumption needs and was severely affected by the fertilizer crisis. We used a comparative case study approach based on primary and secondary data to evaluate the effects of the fertilizer crisis and the response of various stakeholders at country, intra-regional, and micro-level (smallholder farmers) across fertilizer supply chains in Morocco, Ghana, and Kenya. Local fertilizer prices increased two to threefold, with associated reductions in accessibility, availability, and use of fertilizers, with significant variability among and within countries. At the macro-level, government-funded subsidies were a common crisis mitigation response across countries, while other responses were country-specific. Farm-level responses and coping strategies included reductions in the quantities of fertilizer applied and in the cropping area, which were expected to reduce crop productivity. Cases were also observed where households used savings and credit to purchase fertilizers or traveled longer distances to access fertilizers. This study provides critical insights into strategies for mitigating the impact of future fertilizer supply disruptions.
Geographical indications (GIs), traditionally recognized as symbols of quality, can also positively influence export performance. However, this expectation may not be accurate for some country-product pairs, mainly due to competitive conditions, non-tariff barriers, and the low reputation of the origin country. It is difficult to draw broad generalizations because of the conceptual, perceptual, and market-related differences in each GI-origin and destination country. However, evaluating different products helps to understand the possible dynamics behind this relationship. This paper aims to find out how the GI label affects the export performance of products that dominate world markets and hold varying levels of prominence and market share within the EU, by analyzing Chinese garlic and Turkish figs — observations that have been previously unexplored in the literature. Results show that there is no statistically significant relationship between GI and exports to the EU in both products. These relatively surprising results may have the following plausible explanations: while China has to compete with Spanish GI-protected garlic in the EU, Turkey has to deal with rejection at the border because of aflatoxin in dried figs. Moreover, as both products originate from developing countries and are already dominant in the market, the impact of their GIs may be limited.
Nanotechnology offers transformative potential for the global food and agribusiness sector, yet its commercial adoption remains limited. This review examines nanomaterials from a managerial and strategic perspective, focusing on their implications for agribusiness firms, supply chain efficiency, investment decision-making, regulatory compliance, and consumer acceptance. While technical advancements in nano-enabled packaging, nutrient delivery, and sensing systems promise reduced food loss, extended shelf life, and enhanced product differentiation, significant barriers persist, including regulatory fragmentation, uncertain return-on-investment, consumer skepticism, and liability risks. Drawing on multidisciplinary evidence, we identify key strategic challenges and propose practical frameworks for agribusiness managers to evaluate, adopt, and govern nano-enabled innovations responsibly. The analysis highlights the critical need for coordinated industry–regulator–science collaboration to translate laboratory successes into viable commercial strategies within the global food system.
This study examines the marketing practices and attitudes of a sample of US elderberry ( Sambucus spp.) producers and explores the factors influencing market participation and product diversification. Using data from an online survey, a factor analysis and a double-hurdle econometric model were applied. Factor analysis condensed interrelated attitudinal variables about growers’ opinions on challenges in elderberry production into a smaller set of factors to better understand constraints faced by farmers. These factors along with farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics were used as determinants in the hurdle model to analyze market engagement and diversification decisions. Results indicate that 40% of the surveyed farmers did not market their elderberries, while the 60% who did primarily sold berries, followed by propagules and other products. On-farm sales were the primary market outlet for two-thirds of marketers. Major challenges included government regulations limiting medicinal promotion, a shortage of specialized equipment for mechanical harvesting, pests and diseases, and limited market access. Larger, more experienced farmers in the Southeast and Northeast were more likely to market elderberries, while regulatory and market concerns reduced participation. Product diversification was more prevalent among experienced, higher income farmers, and those engaged in farmers’ markets.
Abstract This study assesses the resilience of the agrifood supply chain in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to develop and apply survey-based indicators for assessing the economic resilience of agribusinesses. Two resilience indicators were identified and developed: Static Resilience (SRES), which measures the capacity to avoid losses, and Dynamic Resilience (DRES), which assesses the ability to recover from revenue shocks. Data was collected through two online surveys in 2020 and 2022; the study found that while LAC agrifood firms generally showed adaptability and recovery, resilience levels varied significantly among firms.
