Introduction
A sustainable supply chain is a core of a long-term planning process for any business that strives in the contemporary economic system. It is particularly applicable to the spheres that are directly connected with natural resources that have a tendency to exhaust. Vegetable production is one of such sectors, where the processes of growing and harvesting, as well as the consecutive distribution efforts, require sustainable planning. The production of cauliflower, which is a highly nutritious and popular vegetable, is challenging. Significant lands of soil are necessary to grow this vegetable successfully; in addition, it requires continuous care, water supply, and ensuring that no negative factors damage the harvest. Since this product’s storage duration and transportation means are restricted due to the vulnerability, time management and conditioning with transportation, packaging, and distribution are essential.
These issues are particularly relevant in the context of sustainable agriculture, which necessitates food waste minimization and enhanced capacity of used resources (Allen, Bas-Defossez and Weigelt, 2018). Furthermore, the prioritization of human life and health protection, environmental protection, and free movement of food dictated by the European Union Legislation related to sustainable agriculture and food safety guide cauliflower production (Allen et al., 2018). Therefore, the sustainable supply chain is a pivotal element in the process of cauliflower growth and distribution. The present report is designed to analyze the supply chain of cauliflower production in Ireland. The analysis will include the supply chain stakeholder mapping with the roles and environmental contribution of each process and stakeholder. In addition, sustainability indicators and considerations will be addressed with the following articulation of the ways for improving sustainability for the supply chain. The analysis and recommendations are generated based on the particularities of the agricultural sector in general and the supply chain of cauliflower production in particular. They have practical and theoretical implications for organizational adjustment and further research in this area.
Supply Chain Sustainability Analysis
The analysis of a supply chain and its sustainability potential or current state might be conducted by means of stakeholder mapping. This approach allows for structural interpretation of the place of each participant in the farm-to-form process within the whole system of stakeholders while identifying their respective contributions to the environment. Therefore, both stakeholders and the processes in which they are engaged should be taken into consideration when conducting a supply chain sustainability analysis. The identification of each stakeholder’s contribution to the environment will allow for locating the most harmful areas of the process and address them through specifically designed recommendations.
Supply Chain Stakeholder Mapping
The process of stakeholder mapping involves placing each stakeholder within the realms of their processes as a part of cauliflower production and distribution. In particular, this process consists of several consecutive elements, starting with farmers and ending with consumers. The primary stakeholders involved in the supply chain are farmers, transportation agencies, sorting, packaging, and labeling stations, distributors, shops, and consumers. As Figure 1 demonstrates, the upstream supply chain elements include farmers that grow and harvest cauliflower, transportation agencies that deliver the vegetable between locations, as well as sorting, packaging, and labeling stations. The downstream elements are the stakeholders that participate in processes for delivery and distribution of the sorted, packed, and labeled product to retailers across Ireland to reach consumers. Overall, the mapping demonstrates that the supply chain is vertical and linear, with the simple alignment of each element within the more extensive process, which provides an opportunity for more sustainable supply chain change.
Stakeholders’ Impact on the Environment
Based on the conducted stakeholder mapping and overall supply chain analysis, the impact of each stakeholder and respective processes on the environment might be analyzed. It is reasonable to conduct this analysis from the perspective of each process’s contribution to the environment with the indication of the involved stakeholders to validate the origins of the influence. Indeed, it is the specific features of the process that cause particular harm to nature or resources.
Firstly, farmers’ impact on the environment is made through the processes of cauliflower growth and harvesting. Since they work in the fields, farmers are in direct contact with the environment. The watering practices and the utilization of large soil spaces have the potential for exhausting natural resources in the long run (Allen et al., 2018). Furthermore, when protecting the vegetable from harmful factors, farmers might use growth stimulation chemicals that also have a negative impact on the environment.
Secondly, transportation agencies’ environmental impact is made through the delivery of the product from one point to another throughout the supply chain. Overall, this stakeholder’s influence on the environment is manifested through four elements, namely capacity, trip frequency, logistics, and transport type. Trucks’ capacity to transport a particular load is related to the amount of fuel and the ultimate volume of emission into the atmosphere. In a similar manner, since the transportation of cauliflower must be executed shortly after harvesting due to the vulnerability of the product, the frequency of deliveries increases the likelihood of excessive CO2 emission. The general process of logistics with transportation routes and frequency threatens the environment. Ultimately, the choice of transportation means that are harmful to nature increase the scope of the negative impact of transportation agencies.
Thirdly, the packaging participants’ influence on the environment is manifested through the use of plastic, crates’ capacity, and damage protection. Primarily, the materials used for packaging are the essential source of environmental harm. Plastic wrappings, interlayer plastic protection, and plastic crates are cost-efficient materials in terms of their light weight and ease of production, which is why packaging is inclined to use this material (Perez-Mesa et al., 2019). Since plastic has a tendency to accumulate in the environment as garbage, its increased harm caused by packaging is related to the differences in crates’ capacity, which leads to more plastic waste.
Fourthly, the process of selling conducted by retailers across Ireland impacts the environment by their shop and storage-related practices. In particular, the usage of the plastic wrapping when storing the vegetable in warehouses and displaying the product for buyers increases the potential for plastic waste. These measures seem to be cost-effective since they help to protect the product from damage while storing. Apart from the negative influence on the environment, retailers employ environmental protection promotion for sustainable consumption to minimize harm.
Finally, the end consumers’ impact on the environment is manifested through the purchasing and consuming habits of the population who buys cauliflower. Food waste is one of the essential environmental issues applicable to consumers. Their non-timely consumption of cauliflower after purchasing might lead to excessive waste. Moreover, the lack of knowledge about sustainable production practices might be a constraint for consumers to maintain sustainable purchasing behavior. In addition, people tend to use plastic containers or packages when storing vegetables at home, which increases the threat to the environment.
Sustainability Indicators and Considerations
The analyzed supply chain is characterized by the abundance of environmental issues. Therefore, the impact on the environment and the search for more sustainable practices are some of the most important considerations within the process of cauliflower production. The metrics and indicators applicable to sustainability measurements might be approached from various angles. One of such approaches includes such indicators of sustainability in the food sector as:
- “Food Nutrient Adequacy;
- Ecosystem Stability;
- Food Affordability and Availability;
- Sociocultural Wellbeing;
- Food Safety;
- Resilience;
- Waste and Loss Reduction” (Chaudhary, Gustafson and Mathys, 2018, p. 3).
The scores against each of these metrics might be calculated to generate quantitative data about supply chain sustainability. However, when considering the environmental impact, food and plastic waste management, CO2 emission control, soil and water resources management, and consumption culture promotion might be considered indicators of a sustainable supply chain.
An essential issue in this respect is the social impact of the production of cauliflower. Since this vegetable is a nutritious product that is full of useful vitamins and fiber, the promotion of its consumption might have a significant positive social effect. In particular, its contribution to sustainable and healthy diets of consumers might be used as an essential indicator of sustainability. In such a manner, the stakeholders involved in the production of cauliflower might be able to facilitate their ecological footprint by contributing to the social benefits generated by their product through the enhancement of social well-being and food safety issues.
Ways for Achieving a More Sustainable Supply Chain
Based on the analysis of stakeholders’ impact on the environment and the review of the metrics for sustainability, several approaches to the facilitation of sustainable supply chain management might be recommended. In order to abide by the European Union Legislation related to sustainable agriculture and food safety, the producers of cauliflower might simplify their supply chain and make it even more linear to eliminate unnecessary or avoidable processes. For example, sorting and packaging stations might be located at the farms to eliminate excessive transportation needs. The second recommendation is to increase the level of sustainability awareness of all stakeholders through collaborative efforts and stakeholder alignment. It is essential to integrate sustainability considerations and metrics into the corporate culture when choosing suppliers and other stakeholders.
The third idea for improved sustainability is more thought-through planning for reasonable use of water and soil when growing and harvesting the vegetable. Sustainable and rational utilization of exhaustible resources should be prioritized, planned, and properly controlled. The fourth recommendation is related to the enhancement of transportation logistics and capacity management practices. They should be planned and implemented with the priority set on the goal of minimizing the harmful impact on the environment. The same principle should apply to the choice of environment-friendly transportation means that would eliminate the potential for CO2 emissions. For example, the shift to electric vehicles for delivery and intra-chain transportation might be considered.
The fifth consideration for sustainability is based on the necessity to shift from plastic to recyclable materials for packaging to minimize plastic waste. It is possible to use crates manufactured using recycled paper or other environment-friendly materials that would not produce as much harmful waste as plastic. The sixth recommendation is related to the social impact consideration and appeals to the opportunities for the promotion of sustainability-oriented consumption in customers. The nutritious characteristics of cauliflower should be used as a means for promoting healthy diets and sustainable lifestyles in the target population. Similarly, the choice of recyclable packaging and sustainable brands should be promoted among buyers to contribute to the future of the sector and enhance sustainable purchasing behaviors in the current and next generations.
Conclusion
In summation, the analysis of the cauliflower supply chain demonstrates that all the stakeholders involved in the processes of growing, harvesting, transporting, storing, sorting, packaging, selling, and consuming have a significant impact on the environment. Food and plastic waste, utilization of exhaustible natural resources such as soil and water, and the lack of well-articulated sustainability policy inside the supply chain are the sources for environmental harm. In order to use more sustainable approaches and eliminate the potential for such harm, several recommendations have been made. Namely, shifting to a more linear and simplified supply chain, enhancing sustainability awareness in corporate culture, more thoughtful and controlled natural resources use, emission elimination through sustainable transportation logistics, and plastic ban. Importantly, the social impact of prioritizing healthy diets by consuming ecological products like cauliflower and the promotion of sustainable purchasing behavior in consumers is another recommendation. Thus, some changes to the supply chain management of cauliflower production and distribution will allow for eliminating harmful environmental effects and enhance the sustainability of the agricultural business.
Reference List
Allen, B., Bas-Defossez, F. and Weigelt, J. (2018) Feeding Europe: Agriculture and sustainable food systems. Web.
Chaudhary, A., Gustafson, D. and Mathys, A. (2018) ‘Multi-indicator sustainability assessment of global food systems’, Nature Communications, 9(1), pp. 1-13.
Perez-Mesa, J.C., Piedra-Munoz, L., Garcia-Barranco, M. and Giagnocavo, C. (2019) ‘Response of fresh food suppliers to sustainable supply chain management of large European retailers’, Sustainability, 11(14), pp. 1-24.