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SPECIAL FOCUS

Agro-Logistics can be seen as a sub-discipline of Logistics. An
agro-food supply chain comprises organizations that are responsible
for the production (farmers), processing (industry) and distribution
(service providers and traders) of vegetable or animal-based
products. Agro-Logistics manages the logistics of three main product
types:
1. Supply chain for agricultural commodities (such as cacao,
grain, soy, sugar, coffee). In these foremost international supply
chains agricultural products are traded and exchanged in the open
market place, in the end to be foremost used as raw materials for
industrial producers for processed food products. A key trend in
these chains is the search for de-commoditizing of goods and the
development of dedicated supply chains that fulfill specific
requirements (e.g. fair trade coffee).
2. Supply chains for highly perishable agricultural products (such
as fresh vegetables, flowers, fruit, fish, potatoes). In general, these
chains may comprise growers, middlemen, auctions, wholesalers,
importers and exporters, retailers and specialty shops and their input
and service suppliers. Basically, all of these stages leave the intrinsic
characteristics of the perishable product grown or produced in the
countryside untouched, although actors try to exploit these as much
as possible (for example, ready to eat products and processed good food for people in developing and emerging countries. This will
smoothies). The main processes are the handling, conditioned not only put pressure on the food system regarding the availability
storage, packing, transportation, and especially trading of these and, accessibility of food in these cities, but it also emphasizes that
goods. A key trend is the increase of partnerships between the labor force in the rural areas will decrease putting even more
international actors resulting in long-term contracts, in order to deliver pressure on the food system. In contrast, one out of three European
the complete assortment year-round. regions will have to deal with a declining population.
3. Supply chains for high-value, processed and customized The second megatrend relates to the overall societal focus on
products (such as processed dairy or meat products). These chains sustainability, to preserve the environment and material availability
produce goods for the higher end of the market, and are mainly for the next generations and to provide fair working conditions
characterized by closed relationships between international suppliers worldwide. Due to the growing population and overall welfare, demand
and retailers with agree upon contracts for a longer term. will increase for high value food, feed, fuel and fibre. Also the pressure
Agro-Logistics concerns all activities in the supply chain to match on vulnerable eco-systems further increases, next to already present
product supply from the farm with market demand for those products. issues as erosion, pollution, and depletion of natural resources.
It aims at getting the right agro-product, at the right place, at the Climate change will increase fluctuations and dynamism in weather
right time, according to the right specifications (including quality and conditions, which will further decrease the stability of food and feed
sustainability requirements) at the lowest cost. Actors in these types availability. This has resulted in significant price increases in the last
of chains understand that original good quality products might be five years for staple foods such as sugar, cacao and coffee (FAO food
subject to quality decay because of an inconsiderate action of price index, 2014). Furthermore, it will influence the production areas
another actor, for example storing a unit load of milk on a dockside suitable for food production.
in the burning sun. The third megatrend concerns advanced process automation,
information and virtualisation. Examples are the increased use of
Interesting Megatrends in Agro-Logistics intelligent robots (think of the modern greenhouses that are setup
Not long ago agricultural produce was transported to the local worldwide), the use of conditioned reefer containers for international
marketplace by the farmer. Nowadays products are flown all over transport and the use of smartphones increasing information
the world to provide products to demanding consumers (foremost) availability and transparency in the supply chain (for example,
in developed countries. For example, haricot verts arrive in the smartphone usage has nearly doubled in 2013 in the Middle East and
Netherlands by air from Africa, bananas are delivered in refrigerated Africa). This changes the way people do business and improves
containers by sea from Central America, and palm oil seeds arrive opportunities for organising and managing global cold chains. This
by bulk carriers from Asia. Flowers that pass through the Dutch trend is increased by the significant investments Western companies
flower auctions in the morning will be on sale that same evening in are doing in developing countries (FAO, 2012).
New York and bought by customers in Tokyo the next morning The last megatrend is globalisation and related economies of
(Network Agrologistics, 2011). It is clear that significant changes scale. Nowadays, food products are sent around the world to provide
have taken place in the last 25 years, but also that more changes year-round availability of goods. On the other hand, more and more
are about the happen. countries are trying to secure food availability in their own country by
The first megatrend concerns demographic and welfare setting up integrated agroparks.
developments. It is expected that the worldwide population will further It is clear that these developments have very important
increase, foremost in the BRIC countries, Africa and Asia, and peak consequences and impacts on performance requirements of the
at 9-10 billion people in 2050. The population in Africa will double agro-logistics systems and businesses in developing countries.
(adding 1 billion), the population in Asia will also increase by 1 billion
persons. In search for labor two-thirds of the world population will เอกสารอ้างอิง/Reference
live in urban areas in 2050. There is a rising middle class: in emerging Developments and Needs for Sustainable Agro-Logistics in Developing Countries.
economies: up to 3 billion in next 20 years, with a change in lifestyle A Note of Multi–Donor Trust Fund for Sustainable Logistics (MDTF–SL) Position
and diet patterns. As a result, world food prices may rise 30-50% in Note on Agro-Logistics prepared by Prof.Jack van der Vorst and Dr.Joost Snels
the coming decades, which leads to the question of affordability of from Wageningen University, The Netherlands

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