Blockchain technology in food supply chains: Review and bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Increase in global population growth and the consequent rise in the demand for food while ensuring quality, preventing wastage, avoiding deforestation, and carbon footprinting has put tremendous pressure on the global food supply chain (FSC). Due to fast computing facilities and availability of data, blockchain technology has emerged as a potential system that may help in developing a safe and secure FSC. Blockchain has gained significant attention among researchers worldwide, which is evident from the extensive literature generated on this subject within a span of a few years. Through this paper, the authors attempt to showcase the immense scope and significance of blockchain in FSCs by examining and analyzing the existing studies. In addition to providing an overview of the application of blockchain in FSCs, this study also discusses challenges such as scalability, interoperability, and high cost and suggests potential solutions for the existing difficulties in adopting blockchain in FSCs. Additionally, a bibliometric analysis is provided to acquaint researchers and practitioners with the structure and research trends in this area. The study found that researchers have mostly focused on the applicability of blockchain for product authentication, finance, and logistics. Further, blockchain is likely to become a dominant technology for enhancing transparency and traceability, reducing risk and, most importantly, enhancing trust among different stakeholders in the area of FSC.