The Sino-Brazilian beef supply chain: mapping and risk detection

Abstract

Purpose The flow of the Sino-Brazilian frozen beef trade has intensified. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to characterize the supply chain structure, and identify its major fragilities. Design/methodology/approach Supply chain mapping was conducted based on the existing literature and primary data collection. Key stakeholders were detected and questioned through semi-structured interviews, which were later interpreted with content analysis. Findings The results reveal a low degree of chain coordination from the Brazilian farm to the Chinese consumer, arising from an immature traceability mechanism, a limited flow of reliable information between the segments, and low trust between the stakeholders. Research limitations/implications The infancy of the beef trade, the paucity of literature on the topic, and restricted accessibility to key governmental and official materials imposes limits on the available information. Language and cultural barriers might have also impacted the interviewees’ responses. However, the participation of Brazilian and Chinese academics in both the interview analysis and chain mapping mitigates these shortcomings. Practical implications The Brazilian public and private sectors need to establish a reliable traceability system and information platform. This, together with investments in marketing and branding, would facilitate differential responses among traders and consumers, and, hence, improve supply chain sustainability. Originality/value By adopting an inter-country approach and directly sourcing views from specific key figures in the supply chain this study offers some unique insights and contributes to the literature on the emergence of a multi-polar global food trade.

Gestão logística da cadeia produtiva do gado de corte: uma proposta para melhorar o processo de integração entre frigorífico e o fornecedor

“…Além disso, diversas pesquisas foram realizadas acerca da gestão logística do gado de corte e as perdas ocorridas na linha de produção, como o trabalho realizado por Knoll et al (2017).…”

Food smuggling and trafficking: The key factors of influence

“…Market and regulatory standards and the wider regulatory environment play a fundamental role in the transnational supply chain (Knoll et al, 2017). Indeed, the rationale for whether a specific country is given an export licence for a second country, or trading group, is largely based on consideration of existing national standards, and the degree of adoption within the given internal supply chain of standards that address legality, food safety, quality and the control of animal disease.…”

“…Indeed, the rationale for whether a specific country is given an export licence for a second country, or trading group, is largely based on consideration of existing national standards, and the degree of adoption within the given internal supply chain of standards that address legality, food safety, quality and the control of animal disease. Brazil, as an example, has had a weak phytosanitary record over two decades with Foot and Mouth Disease in 2005, and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in 2011-2012 (Knoll et al, 2017). This has led to periods when Brazilian beef products were banned from the EU.…”

Understanding how information facilitates consumer trust in food safety: the cases of Australian and Taiwanese consumers’ perspectives

“…Traceability systems are a particular type of ICT used to disclose details of the food supply chain to consumers (Bateman and Bonanni 2019). Traceability systems are capable of providing reliable information by tracking and tracing product flow efficiently and synthetically (Knoll et al 2017). Consumers' motives for using traceability systems are: (1) reducing perceived risk and (2) assisting in making purchase decisions (Yoo et al 2015).…”

“…However, unreliable information negatively influences trust in the whole supply chain (Knoll et al 2017) so consumers will need more reliable information to restore trust in food suppliers (Böcker and Hanf 2000).…”