The role of midstream actors in advancing the sustainability of agri-food supply chains

Abstract

Global food supply chains remain critical drivers of ecosystem degradation and social injustices. In this Perspective we invite policymakers, civil society actors, businesses and researchers to direct attention to the middle of global supply chains, where various actors—referred to as ‘midstream actors’—operate between agricultural commodity producers and manufacturers of food products. We highlight the power of this less visible segment (spanning multinational trading houses to small-scale aggregators of commodities) and the potential leverage that can be harnessed to improve supply chain and food system sustainability. Not engaging these actors poses a risk to the impact of supply chain policy. Global food supply chains drive ecosystem degradation and social injustices. This Perspective focuses on the ability of midstream actors operating between agricultural commodity producers and manufacturers of food products to improve supply chain sustainability.