Optimization of Multi-period Three-echelon Citrus Supply Chain Problem

In this paper, a new multi-objective integer non-linear programming model is developed for designing citrus three-echelon supply chain network. Short harvest period, product specifications, high perished rate, and special storing and distributing conditions make the modeling of citrus supply chain more complicated than other ones. The proposed model aims to minimize network costs including waste cost, transportation cost, and inventory holding cost, and to maximize network’s profits. To solve the model, firstly the model is converted to a linear programming model. Then three multi-objective meta-heuristic algorithms are used including MOPSO, MOICA, and NSGA-II for finding efficient solutions. The strengths and weaknesses of MOPSO, MOICA, and NSGA-II for solving the proposed model are discussed. The results of the algorithms have been compared by several criteria consisting of number of Pareto solution, maximum spread, mean ideal distance, and diversification metric.Computational results show that MOPSO algorithm finds competitive solutions in compare with NSGA-II and MOICA.