Transportation lead time in perishable food value chains: an Indian perspective

This paper examines the factors leading to high lead time in transportation stage of perishable food supply chain in India, which impact the quality of food and ultimately results in food losses. This study is motivated by the criticality of transportation in the North Indian region and increasing food losses and wastage. Mango and tomato supply chains are used in this research as they are dominant and economically important industries in parts of India. The research first used a survey-based questionnaire from the transporters who are responsible for transporting the fresh produce from the farms at Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand (India) to Asia's largest wholesale fruit and vegetable market (Mandi) in Azadpur, Delhi. The data were analysed separately each of mangos and tomatoes. Based on the analysis, the identified factors are infrastructure, imprudence, continuous verification and frisking, connectivity and resources/transportation facilities. Interviews were conducted with food supply chain experts to gain insight into practical measures that can be taken to reduce transportation lead time.