The Supply and Value Chain of Citrus Fruit
Ehsan Ul Haque, Akbar Hayat, Muhammad Asim, Sohaib Afzaal, Muhammad Hanif, Mian Anjum Murtaza, Ahmad Din, Samreen Sabir, Shakeel Ahmad
Abstract
Food security in developing countries and food safety in developed regions of the world are compelling areas to implement efficient and robust food distribution management system especially for perishable horticultural commodities. Worldwide rapid urbanization, quick technology advances, innovation in production technologies and shift in food preferences have evolved various food distribution systems. Expanding export-oriented business opportunities linked with consumer-driven markets for horticultural commodities has made a paradigm shift in fruit and vegetables supply systems. By the advent of modern marketing chains and supermarkets, the distribution system for citrus fruit is becoming more systematic, competitive and consistent complying international standards for quality and food safety through well-coordinated value chains. Citrus value chain is linking vertically various actors from farmer to consumer to perform activities and processes aimed to generate value for the consumer, while for related services and commodities, it is horizontally linked with other value chains. Unpredictable changes in the global market outlook due to climate change, population dynamics and outbreak of pandemics should be closely reviewed by the competitors for export markets as its worldwide impact on agricultural production and distribution systems is already felt well. Globally integrated efforts by using essential tools like use of information communication technology (ICT), geographical information system (GIS), precision agriculture, satellite imagery and use of statistical prediction modules could help vulnerable regions of the world for better planning of their production and distribution systems. Developing regions of the world like Pakistan should follow the smarter and efficient citrus production and distribution system as practiced in United States and European Union likewise China does. However, an integrated approach is required to utilize wasted one-third of produced food worldwide to feed the population segments combating hunger and malnutrition globally.