Digitalization of Agri-food Supply Chains: Facts and Promises of Blockchain Technology

Abstract

With the globalization agri-food supply chains become longer and more complex, what makes it difficult to manage. parallel with this there is increasing customer demand for knowing the origin, ingredients and delivery chain of agricultural products. the need for more efficient, traceable and visible supply chain for agri-food products appears from supply side. The digital methods of industry 4.0 are able to provide solutions for these demands particularly those which are able to trace product reliable way from its origin to consumption. blockchain is a disruptive technology by which every important product information can be collected, stored and shared with the actors involved in the product process chain from the first phase to the final customer. The paper provides an overview about blockchain technology and its operation in agri-food supply chains environment, then presents some examples from the practice of different countries where blockchain was applied in the agricultural sector in order to introduce experiences as facts, and further possibilities as promises by blockchain.