Editorial

3 pages, 181 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Integrated Governance Mechanisms for Empowerment and Resilience in International Food Value Chains

by Juan Manuel Ramon-Jeronimo, Ana Cruz Gonzalez-Calzadilla, Amparo Graciani-Herrero and Raquel Florez-Lopez

Foods 2023, 12(18), 3395; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12183395 - 11 Sep 2023

Viewed by 626

Abstract

Considering the significance of the food sector in recent years, the main objective of this Special Issue is to identify the most appropriate governance mechanisms (formalized and relational) for the management of collaborative networks among the international chain of food companies, which are [...] Read more.

Considering the significance of the food sector in recent years, the main objective of this Special Issue is to identify the most appropriate governance mechanisms (formalized and relational) for the management of collaborative networks among the international chain of food companies, which are increasingly subject to greater risks and disruptions [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Governance Mechanisms for Empowerment and Resilience in International Food Value Chains)

Research

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13 pages, 863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Poverty, Household Structure and Consumption of Foods Away from Home in Peru in 2019: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Michelle Lozada-Urbano, Franklin Huamán, Yanira Xirinachs, Oriana Rivera-Lozada, Aldo Alvarez-Risco and Jaime A. Yáñez

Foods 2022, 11(17), 2547; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11172547 - 23 Aug 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1958

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the probability of buying food away from home according to the type of household using the logit model, as well as the sociodemographic characteristics of the heads of household, and how much income expenditure represents. [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the probability of buying food away from home according to the type of household using the logit model, as well as the sociodemographic characteristics of the heads of household, and how much income expenditure represents. A cross-sectional study was carried out using the National Household Survey (ENAHO) 2019 database. After joining the database, the household type variables were created. To calculate the probability with the “logit” model of purchase, the variables—family size, income, types of household, and total expenditure—were selected as a measure of the purchasing power of the family. A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was found between the probability of consumption and the variables: age of household members, predominance, nuclear without children–married, nuclear with children–cohabitant, nuclear with children–widowed, nuclear with children–separated, extended, compounded, poor not extreme, and not poor. The bulk of families was represented by nuclear families (61.97%). The highest expenditure in the CFAH was for families defined as composite with a yearly average of USD 1652.89 (equivalent to PEN 5520.67). Observing the expenditure on food consumed outside the home through the composition of households can allow a better approach to offer educational measures. This information can be helpful to developers of educational issues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Governance Mechanisms for Empowerment and Resilience in International Food Value Chains)

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23 pages, 4250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Its Implications for the Global Food Supply Chains

by Sandeep Jagtap, Hana Trollman, Frank Trollman, Guillermo Garcia-Garcia, Carlos Parra-López, Linh Duong, Wayne Martindale, Paulo E. S. Munekata, Jose M. Lorenzo, Ammar Hdaifeh, Abdo Hassoun, Konstantinos Salonitis and Mohamed Afy-Shararah

Foods 2022, 11(14), 2098; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142098 - 14 Jul 2022

Cited by 143 | Viewed by 39981

Abstract

Food is one of the most traded goods, and the conflict in Ukraine, one of the European breadbaskets, has triggered a significant additional disruption in the global food supply chains after the COVID-19 impact. The disruption to food output, supply chains, availability, and [...] Read more.

Food is one of the most traded goods, and the conflict in Ukraine, one of the European breadbaskets, has triggered a significant additional disruption in the global food supply chains after the COVID-19 impact. The disruption to food output, supply chains, availability, and affordability could have a long-standing impact. As a result, the availability and supply of a wide range of food raw materials and finished food products are under threat, and global markets have seen recent increases in food prices. Furthermore, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has adversely affected food supply chains, with significant effects on production, sourcing, manufacturing, processing, logistics, and significant shifts in demand between nations reliant on imports from Ukraine. This paper aims to analyze the impacts of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on the effectiveness and responsiveness of the global food supply chains. A PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach, including grey literature, was deployed to investigate six key areas of the food supply chains that would be impacted most due to the ongoing war. Findings include solutions and strategies to mitigate supply chain impacts such as alternative food raw materials, suppliers and supply chain partners supported by technological innovations to ensure food safety and quality in warlike situations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Governance Mechanisms for Empowerment and Resilience in International Food Value Chains)

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19 pages, 3208 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index in Poland: Implementation Gaps and Actions for Improvement

by Piotr Romaniuk, Krzysztof Kaczmarek, Katarzyna Brukało, Elżbieta Grochowska-Niedworok, Karolina Łobczowska, Anna Banik, Aleksandra Luszczynska, Maartje Poelman, Janas M. Harrington, Stefanie Vandevijvere and on behalf of the PEN Consortium

Foods 2022, 11(11), 1648; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11111648 - 02 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2173

Abstract

Background: Poland is facing the growing problem of overweight and obesity in the population, which makes it necessary to conduct a thorough assessment of the existing food environment policies. The aims of the study were: (1) to depict the strength of healthy food [...] Read more.

Background: Poland is facing the growing problem of overweight and obesity in the population, which makes it necessary to conduct a thorough assessment of the existing food environment policies. The aims of the study were: (1) to depict the strength of healthy food environment policies in Poland and identify implementation policies and infrastructure support gaps; (2) to identify and prioritise improvement policies, taking into account their importance, achievability and equity. Methods: We used the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI). An experts’ panel rated Polish policies and infrastructure compared to international best practices and developed a list of recommended improvement actions addressing both components. Results: eight of the twenty-two policy and four of the twenty-two infrastructure indicators achieved the “no/very weak policy” result. Another four policy and five infrastructure indicators were considered “weak”. Another seven and eight indicators, respectively, were assessed as “moderate”. Among the identified actions, the highest priority was given to a food labelling system and training for persons involved in nutrition in schools. Conclusions: The Polish healthy food environment has been assessed as very weak or weak in most aspects. The infrastructure was assessed as slightly better compared to the policies domain, with more indicators receiving the “moderate” score. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Governance Mechanisms for Empowerment and Resilience in International Food Value Chains)

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15 pages, 427 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Extreme Weather Disasters on China’s Barley Industry under the Background of Trade Friction—Based on the Partial Equilibrium Model

by Jingyi Liu and Xiande Li

Foods 2022, 11(11), 1570; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11111570 - 26 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1603

Abstract

The world has entered a compound risk era with multiple crises, and the adverse impact of trade friction and extreme weather disasters on China’s barley import has become increasingly prominent. In this context, this study uses superimposed epoch analysis and partial equilibrium model [...] Read more.

The world has entered a compound risk era with multiple crises, and the adverse impact of trade friction and extreme weather disasters on China’s barley import has become increasingly prominent. In this context, this study uses superimposed epoch analysis and partial equilibrium model to evaluate the impact of extreme weather disasters in China’s major barley-exporting countries on China’s barley industry in the course of China–Australia trade friction. The results show that: (1) extreme weather disaster caused barley production in France and Canada to decrease by 7.95% and 18.36% respectively; (2) when the two external shocks occur at the same time, China’s barley import volume tends to decline compared with the basic scenario, the import price rises sharply, there are certain trade-diverting effects in barley import, and China’s imports from countries not affected by extreme weather disasters will increase to a certain extent; (3) China’s barley production remains at a low rate of growth and is vulnerable to external shocks, facing certain import risks. This study provides important policy implications for preventing import risks and ensuring the sufficient supply of domestic barley. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Governance Mechanisms for Empowerment and Resilience in International Food Value Chains)

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19 pages, 5312 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterizing the Structural Evolution of Cereal Trade Networks in the Belt and Road Regions: A Network Analysis Approach

by Wei Chen and Haipeng Zhang

Foods 2022, 11(10), 1468; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11101468 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2469

Abstract

Cereal trade is essential for economic and commercial cooperation among countries along the “Belt and Road” (BRI). It helps ensure food security and contributes to building a community of interests and destinies for the BRI countries. Based on the UN Comtrade database, this [...] Read more.

Cereal trade is essential for economic and commercial cooperation among countries along the “Belt and Road” (BRI). It helps ensure food security and contributes to building a community of interests and destinies for the BRI countries. Based on the UN Comtrade database, this study, using a network analysis approach, investigates the structural characteristics and spatiotemporal dynamics of cereal trade networks among the “Belt and Road” countries. Results show that: (1) The cereal trade among the BRI countries has formed well-connected and complex trade networks, and the “Belt and Road” initiative has significantly promoted cereal trade networks among the BRI countries. (2) The backbone structures of cereal trade networks along the BRI are in geographical proximity. India, Russia, and Ukraine are the most important trading partners and absolute core nodes in the trade networks, influencing the entire cereal trade networks. (3) The BRI cereal trade networks exhibit significant core-periphery structures, with considerable power asymmetries between the countries reflecting food supply and demand differences. In general, the BRI cereal trade networks have developed from relatively diversified to polarized. Supply chains in the cereal trade network are dominated by a few large countries and are fragile, with weak resilience and low resistance to risk. Therefore, governments should continue to strengthen regional cooperation, optimize cereal trade network structure, enhance their reserve capacity, and build a stronger system to guarantee food security and prevent risk. All these measures will support the food security of the “Belt and Road” countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Governance Mechanisms for Empowerment and Resilience in International Food Value Chains)

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29 pages, 5011 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Cross-Chain Model of Rice Supply Chain Supervision Based on Parallel Blockchain and Smart Contracts

by Xiangzhen Peng, Xin Zhang, Xiaoyi Wang, Haisheng Li, Jiping Xu, Zhiyao Zhao and Yanhong Wang

Foods 2022, 11(9), 1269; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11091269 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5118

Abstract

Rice is one of the three major staple foods in the world, and the quality and safety of rice are related to the development of human beings. The new crown epidemic, pesticide residues, insect pests, and heavy metal pollution have a certain security [...] Read more.

Rice is one of the three major staple foods in the world, and the quality and safety of rice are related to the development of human beings. The new crown epidemic, pesticide residues, insect pests, and heavy metal pollution have a certain security impact on the food supply chain. The rice supply chain is characterized by a long life cycle; complex roles in the main links; many types of hazards; and multidimensional, multisource, and heterogeneous information. To strengthen the rice supply chain’s supervision ability under the epidemic situation, a supervision cross-chain model suitable for the complicated data of the rice supply chain based on parallel blockchain theory and smart contract technology was built. Firstly, the data collected in the rice supply chain and different types of data stored in different parallel blockchains were analyzed. Secondly, based on data analysis, a collection/supervision cross-chain mechanism based on “hash lock + smart contract + relay chain”, a concurrency mechanism based on the K-means algorithm and a Bloom filter, and a consensus mechanism suitable for multichain consensus named the Supervision Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (SPBFT) were proposed. Furthermore, a cross-chain model of rice supply chain supervision was constructed. Finally, theoretical verification and simulation experiments were used to analyze the operation process, safety, cross-chain efficiency, and scalability of the model. The results showed that the application of parallel blockchains and smart contracts to supervision of rice supply chain information improved the convenience and security of information interaction between various links in the rice supply chain, the storage cost of supply chain data and the high latency of interaction was reduced, and the refined management of the rice supply chain data and personnel was realized. This research applied new information technology to the coordination and resource sharing of the food supply chain, and provides ideas for the digital transformation of the food industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Governance Mechanisms for Empowerment and Resilience in International Food Value Chains)

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21 pages, 71826 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamics and Determinants of the Grain Yield Gap in Major Grain-Producing Areas: A Case Study in Hunan Province, China

by De Yu, Shougeng Hu, Luyi Tong, Cong Xia and Penglai Ran

Foods 2022, 11(8), 1122; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11081122 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2221

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of the grain yield gap (YGAP) and its causative factors is essential for optimizing the layout of grain production and addressing the food crisis, especially in countries with a huge population and less cultivated land, such as China. [...] Read more.

Understanding the dynamics of the grain yield gap (YGAP) and its causative factors is essential for optimizing the layout of grain production and addressing the food crisis, especially in countries with a huge population and less cultivated land, such as China. In the study, a spatial analysis- and machine learning-based framework for YGAP analysis was developed, taking Hunan Province, China, as an application. The results showed that the average YGAP in Hunan Province gradually narrowed from 1990 to 2018, and the YGAPs narrowed in 116 counties. Of which, 26 counties narrowed by more than 4 t ha⁻¹, 58 counties narrowed from 2–4 t ha⁻¹, and 32 counties narrowed within 2 t ha⁻¹. Additionally, we found that the GDP per capita (GDPPC), sunshine hours (SH), per capita annual net income of farmers (PCAI), and rural electricity consumption (REC) play a key role in YGAP change, and the importance of human investment to the YGAP decreased, while socioeconomic environment became the dominant factor that influenced grain production. Comprehensively, the relatively great potential for grain yield growth was generated in sixty-four counties, which are mainly located in the northern, central, and southern Hunan. The findings suggest that it is necessary to consider the trends of economic development in rural areas and population migration in agricultural management. This work provides insights into yield gap dynamics and may contribute to sustainable agricultural management in Hunan Province, China, and other similar regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Governance Mechanisms for Empowerment and Resilience in International Food Value Chains)

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13 pages, 1636 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Establishing a Multidisciplinary Framework for an Emergency Food Supply System Using a Modified Delphi Approach

by Shuyu Liu, Yue Li, Shaobo Fu, Xin Liu, Tao Liu, Haojun Fan and Chunxia Cao

Foods 2022, 11(7), 1054; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11071054 - 06 Apr 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2423

Abstract

A scientific food emergency supply system is helpful for assuring food supplies continuity, improving response efficiency, and reducing disaster losses. However, the framework for a food emergency supply system is currently an understudied area in emergency management post-disaster. In this study, a comprehensive [...] Read more.

A scientific food emergency supply system is helpful for assuring food supplies continuity, improving response efficiency, and reducing disaster losses. However, the framework for a food emergency supply system is currently an understudied area in emergency management post-disaster. In this study, a comprehensive literature review of major databases was performed to identify potential indicators for the emergency food supply system, followed by a two-round modified Delphi with a multidisciplinary expert panel (n = 17) to verify the proposed framework. The effective response rate of questionnaires ranged from 94.4% (17/18) to 100% (17/17) and the authority coefficient of experts was 0.88, indicating high positivity and reliability of the experts. Furthermore, the p-values of Kendall’s W were < 0.01 and the Cronbach’s α were > 0.7 for all domains and indicators, indicating a high reliability and validity for the proposed framework. Finally, a consensus was reached on all eight domains and 81 indicators. In conclusion, this study introduced and verified a multidisciplinary framework for the food emergency supply system, which could provide a theoretical basis for emergency responders to make corresponding commands and decisions post-disaster. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Governance Mechanisms for Empowerment and Resilience in International Food Value Chains)

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19 pages, 301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of COVID-19 on the Internationalisation of the Spanish Agri-Food Sector

by Javier Ballesteros-Bejarano, Ana Cruz González-Calzadilla, Juan Manuel Ramón-Jerónimo and Raquel Flórez-López

Foods 2022, 11(7), 938; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11070938 - 24 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2373

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies to suddenly adapt their daily operations. This has also affected the agri-food sector, which is one of the main sectors of the Spanish economy in terms of exportations. Hence, the purpose of this study is to explore [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies to suddenly adapt their daily operations. This has also affected the agri-food sector, which is one of the main sectors of the Spanish economy in terms of exportations. Hence, the purpose of this study is to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the internationalisation of Spanish agri-food companies. A case study has been developed to gain understanding and insights about the COVID-19 impacts on this sector. The information has been obtained through 12 semi-structured phone interviews that have been made with international/export managers (or managers with international responsibilities) from Spanish exporting companies of the agri-food sector. This research suggests that internationalisation is a great growth opportunity for Spanish agri-food companies. However, COVID-19 has considerably impacted the sector, and they have needed to focus on identifying such impacts to manage them efficiently. In this sense, most interviewees have identified common changes and adaptations to be faced and risks generated by the pandemic that importantly influenced such companies, being the most important risks the sanitary and the payment default risk. In addition, interviewed managers have also explained main actions that were taken. By handling the COVID-19 situation in a flexible, quick and efficient way, companies will achieve international success. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Governance Mechanisms for Empowerment and Resilience in International Food Value Chains)

36 pages, 4011 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Market Integration and Price Dynamics under Market Shocks in European Union Internal and External Cheese Export Markets

by Huidan Xue, Liming Wang and Chenguang Li

Foods 2022, 11(5), 692; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11050692 - 26 Feb 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2428

Abstract

The dairy sector in the European Union (EU) has experienced policy changes and market shocks recently. Using the global vector autoregressive (GVAR) model, this paper explores regional market integration, the feedback between market shocks and price dynamics, and the link between EU’s cheese [...] Read more.

The dairy sector in the European Union (EU) has experienced policy changes and market shocks recently. Using the global vector autoregressive (GVAR) model, this paper explores regional market integration, the feedback between market shocks and price dynamics, and the link between EU’s cheese export markets and energy market. This paper assesses and compares which influencing factors are typically associated with intra-EU and extra-EU cheese export price movement with regards to shocks to crude oil price, farm-gate raw milk price, and consumer price index (CPI) for food and cheese production of six representative EU member states, respectively. Using generalized impulse response functions, this paper finds that EU’s internal cheese export market is not well integrated, while EU’s external market is well integrated, with France as an exception. It also finds that the external cheese export market is vulnerable to shocks from the energy market compared to the internal market. Raw milk prices from the upstream supply chain have strong spill-over effects on EU’s internal cheese export market, yet their impact on extra-EU cheese export prices is relatively less significant. The movement patterns of extra-EU cheese export prices of Ireland and the UK show similar patterns in the long run. It is concluded that the dynamics of cheese export prices in the internal and external markets of the EU are different under market shocks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Governance Mechanisms for Empowerment and Resilience in International Food Value Chains)

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