Abstract

Recent developments in consumption patterns, lowering of trade barriers, the emergence of low cost/miniature sensors and information technologies, and advanced business analytics tools are changing the playing field on which most of the agri-food supply chains operate. The intelligent use of sensing and information technologies has the potential to start a new food revolution in which limited resources such as water, capital, transportation capacity and labor could be optimally exploited so that fresh food, in particular fruits and vegetables, get to the consumer with minimal or no food waste. One of the keys for making this vision a reality is transforming the data collected as these products traverse the supply chain into effective and efficient supply chain decisions. This transformation relies on that the underlying decision systems that take advantage of this data exist or can be developed. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the state of the art and challenges and opportunities emerging from the integration of sensing data and information into decision support systems for supply chain of fresh fruits and vegetables.