Abstract:
The global stability of the Food Supply Chain (FSC) is heavily threatened by the
widespread prevalence of Food Waste (FW) at every stage of the human supply chain.
Rapid population growth, coupled with constrained production, continues to undermine
Food Security (FS). Addressing the inefficiencies within the FSC is challenging without
technological intervention. Blockchain Technology (BT) emerges as a powerful solution,
contributing enhanced traceability, transparency, and accountability among FSC actors.
This study examines BT’s potential for reducing FW and identifies the key challenges
hindering its adoption. Results reveal that BT can track food movement, identify exit
points and causes of waste, and monitor the operations of the FSC. However, the
realization of these benefits is significantly hindered by factors such as low digital
literacy, actor diversity, inadequate digital infrastructure, high costs, poor digital data
governance, and limited adaptability. By detailing both the benefits and challenges of
BT implementation, this study contributes actionable insights for leveraging BT to
address FW within the FSC. The study emphasizes the critical need for collaboration
among all FSC stakeholders. In the current competitive global landscape, achieving
sustainability increasingly depends on integration of advanced technologies like
blockchain.
