Publication
Title
Sustainability of global and local food value chains : an empirical comparison of Peruvian and Belgian asparagus
Author
Abstract
The sustainability of food value chains is an increasing concern for consumers, food companies and policy-makers. Global food chains are often perceived to be less sustainable than local food chains. Yet, thorough food chain analyses and comparisons of different food chains across sustainability dimensions are rare. In this article we analyze the local Belgian and global Peruvian asparagus value chains and explore their sustainability performance. A range of indicators linked to environmental, economic and social impacts is calculated to analyze the contribution of the supply chains to economic development, resource use, labor relations, distribution of added value and governance issues. Our findings suggest that none of the two supply chains performs invariably better and that there are trade-offs among and between sustainability dimensions. Whereas the global chain uses water and other inputs more intensively and generates more employment per unit of land and higher yields, the local chain generates more revenue per unit of land.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Sustainability
Publication
2016
ISSN
2071-1050
DOI
10.3390/SU8040344
Volume/pages
8 :4 (2016) , p. 344-366
ISI
000375155800054
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 10.10.2016
Last edited 04.03.2024
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