Web-Based Integer Programming Decision Support System for Walnut Processing Planning: The MeliFen Case

Abstract

Chile is among the largest walnut producers and exporters globally, thanks to a favorable nut growth and production environment. Despite an increasingly competitive market, the literature offers little scientific advice regarding decision support systems (DSSs) for the nut sector. In particular, the literature does not present optimization approaches to support decision-making in walnut supply chain management, especially the processing planning. This work provides a DSS that allows the exporter to plan walnut processing decisions taking into account the quality of the raw material, such as size, color, variety, and external and internal defects, in order to maximize the benefits of the business. To formalize the problem, an integer programming model is proposed. The DSS was implemented via a web application for MeliFen, a walnut exporter located near Santiago, Chile. A comparative analysis of the last two years revealed that MeliFen increased its profit by approximately 9.8% using this tool. We also suggest other uses that this DSS provides, besides profit maximization.

Design and Performance Evaluation of a Multi-Point Extrusion Walnut Cracking Device

“…The Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is one of the oldest cultivated fruit species in the world [1]. The kernels have excellent nutritional and therapeutic value due to their high content of unsaturated fatty acids [2] and abundant amino acids and minerals [3,4]. In postharvest and processing, compared to other operations (e.g., cleaning, drying, storing, etc.…”