How Blockchain Facilitates the Transition toward Circular Economy in the Food Chain?

Ashkan Pakseresht (), Sina Ahmadi Kaliji and Vilma Xhakollari
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Ashkan Pakseresht: Department of Bioeconomics, Novia University of Applied Sciences, 10600 Tammisaari, Finland
Vilma Xhakollari: Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 18, 1-22

Abstract: Food loss and waste are two of the many problems that modern society is facing. To date, among many solutions, the circular economy is the one prevailing. A successful transition toward a circular economy (CE) requires the food sector to overcome the challenges of today’s complex food supply chains such as information asymmetry, poor cooperation among stakeholders, and concerns about food safety. Blockchain, a form of distributed ledger technology, has been progressively gaining traction in supply chains in areas like data management, certifying product provenance and tracking products. Despite its importance, knowledge around the potential of the blockchain technology in facilitating the transition towards a circular economy in the agri-food sector is fragmented. This review provides evidence-based insights into the blockchain implementations in the food supply chains and the implications for CE. Our findings indicated four major areas that blockchain could accelerate CE in the agri-food sector: improving data utility; supply chain management efficacy; enhanced eco-efficiency; and superior traceability.

Keywords: circularity; distributed ledger; eco-efficiency; green technology; supply chain; sustainability; traceability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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