Title: Understanding the models of Indian fruit and vegetable supply chains - a case study approach

Authors: K. Arshinder; M. Balaji

Addresses: Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Tamil Nadu, India; School of Information Systems, Curtin Business School, Curtin University, Australia ' Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Tamil Nadu, India; Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625015, India

Abstract: This study explores different perishable fresh fruit and vegetable (F&V) supply chain models and seeks to understand the issues and challenges that exist within the supply chains. A case study approach using qualitative methods was used to analyse the perishable F&V supply chains in a typical Indian metropolitan city. This study found that supply chain agents set their margins arbitrarily resulting in double marginalisation at each interface of the supply chains. Thus, double marginalisation and inefficiency in the domestic F&V supply chains results in massive wastage. F&V supply chains are impacted unequally and include food perishability, food quality and food safety based on the responsiveness of the supply chains. Insights found in this study will be useful, not only for F&V supply chain stakeholders, but also for policymakers to develop more efficient and responsive supply chain model in India and elsewhere with similar economic settings.

Keywords: F&V supply chains; food supply chains; wholesale markets; price variability; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2019.104196

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2019 Vol.15 No.4, pp.307 - 322

Received: 07 Aug 2018
Accepted: 25 Jul 2019
Published online: 20 Dec 2019 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article