A comprehensive review and mapping citrus supply chains from a sustainability perspective across the European Union, Middle East, and Africa

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Sherin Beshara

October University for Modern Science and Arts, Egypt

: J Biodivers Manage Forestry

Abstract

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Robust agri-food supply chains are crucial for ensuring global food availability, quality, and safety of food products. Citrus fruits are among the most produced and traded agricultural products worldwide, with significant economic and social importance. Although fruitâ??s importance in the European Union, Middle East, and Africa regions, the extant literature in these regions is limited. Hence, this paper provides a comprehensive review on citrus supply chain in these regions, identifying key research topics, methodologies, and supply chain echelons addressed in literature. The study employed a systematic review methodology coupled with the analysis of real-world citrus supply chain case studies and supply chain stakeholdersâ?? interviews. This multi-faceted approach allows the researchers to 1) highlight the research gaps in the citrus supply chain literature, 2) map a complete citrus supply chain flow, and 3) provide a detailed material flow and sustainability-oriented overview of the potential inputs and outputs at different stages of the citrus supply chain. This study serves as a guide for future research in the citrus supply chain field and enables practitioners to pinpoint areas and strategies for operational improvement across the supply chain.

Biography

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Sherin Beshara is an Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering at October University for Modern Sciences and Arts. She earned her PhD degree in Industrial engineering from Alexandria University, Egypt and received a BS and MS degrees in Industrial Engineering from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport. Her research interests include supply chain management, sustainability strategies, simulation, modelling and optimization, and agri-food supply chains.