Examination of Short Supply Chains Based on Circular Economy and Sustainability Aspects

Abstract

The sustainability of global food chains and intense agricultural production has become questionable. At the same time, the consumers’ interest in short supply chains (SSCs) and direct sales from producers has increased. SSCs are connected to sustainability by researchers. Their (supposed) positive sustainability attributes are based mostly on extensive production methods and short transport distances. However, from other points of view, the economic and environmental sustainability of the short chains is questionable. Our research aims to cast light on the SSCs’ role in circular economy and sustainability. By deep literature review and content analysis, we determine the sustainability aspects of short (local) chains and their effects related to economy and environment. Short supply chains are connected most widely to circularity and sustainability by the subjects of environmental burden (transport, production method, emission), health, food quality, consumers’ behavior, producer-consumer relationships, and local economy. According to our experience, these factors cannot be generalised across all kinds of short chains. Their circular economic and sustainability features are dependent on their spatial location, type, and individual attitudes of the involved consumers and producers.

Agri-Food Markets towards Sustainable Patterns

“…Recently, scholars focused on alternative food systems (AFSs) and short food supply chains (SFSC) (i.e., farmers' markets, farm shops, fruits and vegetables boxes, pick-your-own food farms, community-supported agriculture, Internet sales through e-commerce operators, etc.) [182,[256][257][258][259][260][261][262][263], and the opportunity they offer in increasing sustainability, by the reduction of food and package waste [264] and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [265][266][267][268][269][270][271][272][273] and in providing ecological, health and socio-economic benefits [274][275][276][277][278]. SFSC allow consumers to connect more directly with both farmers and food producers thus enhancing local and rural development [279,280], and are an effective strategy for the preservation and development of urban agriculture, thus addressing the issue of food quality and security [268,281,282].…”

“…Although many advantages are associated with AFSs [260,264,284], there are doubts as to whether SFSCs deserve the reputation of being really environmentally sustainable [263,285]. Indeed, they can have sometimes adverse economic, environmental and social impacts.…”

Examining the Role of Local Products in Rural Development in the Light of Consumer Preferences—Results of a Consumer Survey from Hungary

“…On the other hand, these systems are less present in the Member States that joined the EU in 2004. In these Member States, the low willingness to pay for local products hinders the development opportunities of short supply chains [22,23]. Local food systems are not necessarily sustainable in economic terms [19,24].…”

“…Local food systems are not necessarily sustainable in economic terms [19,24]. Nor can their other sustainability aspects be generalized in all cases [23].…”

Possible Actors in Local Foodscapes? LEADER Action Groups as Short Supply Chain Agents—A European Perspective

“…Extensive literature supports the environmental and sustainability relevance of local and short product chains [3][4][5]. Short supply chains (SSCs) may directly (e.g., with the use of extensive methods and short transportation) or indirectly (e.g., through the development of local communities and other sustainability issues) support greenhouse gas mitigation [6]. Experiences of sustainable rural development are diverse in the literature either concerning tourism [7], the relevance of governance and partnership [8][9][10], social learning [11] or short food-supply chains [12].…”