As the people are getting more focused on the foods and everyone wants fresh on their plate, different food businesses productivity and yearly revenue got increase. It’s the fact that as the demand gets higher for a product it creates an opportunity for business owners to earn profit. But when it comes to food supply chain management, the high demands give high pressures. As the consumers start expecting the exotic foods, purely fresh to taste, the difficulties increases. From producers, manufacturers, logistics providers, distributors to other parties, all get under pressure to get the products in the market, safely, quickly and in best conditions.
As with technology, many supermarkets are able to preserve food items in cool temperatures. Even big manufacturing companies offer chest freezers on sales to meet the demands of supermarkets. But putting only the freezers to fix food supply chain management issues isn’t enough. You need to fix biggest issues highlighted below.
1. Lack of Traceability
Amongst many consumer’s abilities to track the food product through all stages of the supply chain becomes a demand. Now, consumers need to know from where all the ingredients, products and even the trace one, comes from. You cannot lie or cheat or else you may lose your potential market. This is the biggest issue to fix in food supply chain management.
It’s now become a need of the time to have good data on food products and chain. Having and sharing authentic information from each and every step of the food supply chain not only enhances food safety but also increase customer loyalty and strengthens brand integrity.
2. Inability to Maintain Safety & Quality
As the public set their demands according to the quality the pressures directly go on the manufacturers to produce and distribute high-quality products that are safe. This again, becomes a most important issue to be addressed perfectly in food supply chain management. The top causes that affect food safety and quality are
· Inclement Weather
· Industrial Sabotage
· Delays in transportation
· Poor storage and warehousing practices
3. Fragmented Information & Poor Communication
This is the most common issues in food supply chain management that may require a technological solution. There are various parties involved in the chain which have little to no knowledge of one another’s actions that leads towards inefficiency, waste and mistrust amongst suppliers and customers.
4. Rising Supply Chain Cost
Keeping a check on operating cost is a constant challenge as many costs are involved in the food supply chain. This includes in one of the biggest issues food supply chain management faces. The most important costs are as follows
· Investment in New Technology
· Manpower
· Logistics and Freight
· Energy and Fuel Cost
5. Lack of Tracking and Controlling Inventory
The inventory issues are not hidden in food supply chain management. To control cost, satisfy customers and maintain the quality it is essential to manage inventory efficiently. If you keep too much inventory it may spoil and go to waste. Similarly, if you keep too less you may find that the demand is increased whereas there is a lack of the product. Therefore, it’s essential to make your food supply chain management effective to resolve such issues.
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