A Bi-Objective Mixed-Integer Linear Programming Model for a Sustainable Agro-Food Supply Chain with Product Perishability and Environmental Considerations

Rana Azab, Rana S. Mahmoud, Rahma Elbehery and Mohamed Gheith ()
Additional contact information
Rana Azab: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (EJUST), Alexandria 21934, Egypt
Rana S. Mahmoud: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (EJUST), Alexandria 21934, Egypt
Rahma Elbehery: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (EJUST), Alexandria 21934, Egypt
Mohamed Gheith: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (EJUST), Alexandria 21934, Egypt

Logistics, 2023, vol. 7, issue 3, 1-29

Abstract: Background : Agro-food supply chains possess specific characteristics due to the diverse nature of products involved and contribute to all three pillars of sustainability, making the optimal design of a sustainable agro-food supply chain a complex problem. Therefore, efficient models incorporating the unique characteristics of such chains are essential for making optimal supply chain decisions and achieving economically and environmentally sustainable agro-food supply chains that contribute to global food security. Methods: This article presents a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programing model that integrates agricultural-related strategic decisions into the tactical design of an agro-food supply chain. The model considers transportation, inventory, processing, demand fulfilment, and waste disposal decisions. It also accounts for seasonality and perishability, ensuring a comprehensive approach to sustainability. The model aims to maximize the total generated profits across the supply chain while simultaneously minimizing CO 2 emissions as a measure of environmental impact. Results: By implementing the model on a sugar beet supply chain in the Netherlands, strategic crop rotation farm schedules for the crop rotation cycle and the optimum supply network decisions are obtained. Furthermore, different objectives are analyzed and the Pareto-efficient frontier is investigated to analyze the underlying trade-offs. Additionally, the model serves as a decision support tool for managers facilitating informed investment decisions in technologies that prolong product shelf life while maintaining profitability. Conclusions: The proposed multi-objective model offers a valuable framework for designing economically and environmentally sustainable agro-food supply chains. By aligning with sustainability goals and providing decision support, this research contributes to enhancing global food security and promoting sustainable resource utilization.

Keywords: food supply chain; agro-food supply chain; crop rotation planning; multi-objective optimization; sustainable supply chain design; perishable products (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L8 L80 L81 L86 L87 L9 L90 L91 L92 L93 L98 L99 M1 M10 M11 M16 M19 R4 R40 R41 R49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/7/3/46/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/7/3/46/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlogis:v:7:y:2023:i:3:p:46-:d:1206038

Access Statistics for this article

Logistics is currently edited by Ms. Mavis Li

More articles in Logistics from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().