Improving traceability and sustainability in the agri-food industry through blockchain technology: A bibliometric approach, benefits and challenges

Abstract

The globalization of the agri-food industry in recent years has increased the difficulty and complexity of improving productivity and addressing challenges in food security. Thus, advanced techniques are promptly required to tackle the present obstacles and improve the agri-food sustainability challenges. Hence, blockchain is a prospective distributed information technology that could support food supply chains by decreasing transaction time and cost, improving traceability efficiency, and developing stakeholder trust. The main aim of this paper is to examine the functionalities and characteristics of blockchain technology in the agri-food industry, explore blockchain-based solutions for addressing food traceability and sustainability challenges, and highlight the benefits and challenges related to applying blockchain-based traceability systems. This work examines 114 research papers from 2017 to 2024, demonstrating a review of bibliometric literature to propose a wide and organized body of research regarding blockchain application in the agri-food supply chain. The analysis recognizes essential ideas, fundamental themes, research gaps, and potentials in blockchain application in agri-food. Results show an exponential rise in the number of publications, ranging from 9 % in 2017 to 23 % in 2024, directed mainly at farmers’ advantage, traceability, supply chain efficiency, and food security. For accurate farming possibilities, integrating blockchain and agro-food will encourage smart farms and enhance the regulation of supply-chain systems. Similarly, the bibliometric analysis across the discipline shows that computer science accounts for 18.8 %, engineering records 59.9 %, energy shares 6.9 %, and social sciences contribute 6.5 %. The review describes substantial issues, including the absence of standardization, technical intricacy, and regulatory issues that may deter blockchain's wider application. This analysis presents a guideline for researchers and industry experts, enlightening them on the field's present state, contributing ideas to its route, and offering a basis for future study in improving the sustainability of blockchain technology within the agri-food industry.