Supply chain development and logistic design of food chains
About this expertise
In short- Sustainable and circular agri-food supply chains
- Logistics and supply chain optimization
- Chain-wide system approach
- Pilot and scaling studies
The agri-food sector must deliver safe, high-quality products while moving towards net-zero and circular production. We design and optimise sustainable supply chains and agri-logistics systems that connect all actors from field to consumer – improving efficiency, reducing negative impact, and strengthening resilience across food systems.
Wageningen University & Research supports the global agri-food sector in developing and integrating sustainable and circular supply chains. To guarantee the quality of fresh products and improve overall chain performance, we identify inefficiencies and opportunities by primary data collection, advanced analysis, and modelling.
Together with stakeholders, we co-create and test practical solutions that enable informed decision-making and measurable improvement, including:
Strategic plans and roadmaps.
For example: quality-driven agri-logistic or supply chain plans for a country, sector, or company to minimise product and quality losses and guide the transition towards circular and low-emission systems.
Transition scenarios.
Plans for major shifts in food systems, such as moving towards sustainable protein sources, integrating feed and biobased side streams, or redesigning cold chains for climate-smart operation.
Feasibility and scalability studies.
Detailed assessments for manufacturers, retailers, logistics providers, and governments, showing the technical, environmental, and economic effects of innovations. The analyses results in realistic scenarios and practical, science-based recommendations.
Pilot and scaling projects.
Testing and validating solutions under real conditions to demonstrate impact and enable replication from data to design and delivery.
Our integrated chain approach connects data, actors, and system design. We analyse and model agri-food flows from production to consumer, combining field data with system knowledge to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for sustainable improvement and market alignment.
We work across all levels – from product-specific supply chains to sector, regional, and national systems.
Key factors include product quality and safety, logistics efficiency, emission reduction, cold chains, packaging, transport modes, market demand, and circular use of side streams.
By engaging chain actors and applying data-driven insight, we design solutions that improve performance, prevent losses, and strengthen resilience throughout agri-food systems.
Food Loss Solutions for organisations
This website provides all the information on how your organisation can effectively reduce Food Loss and Waste.
Get in touch with our expert
Interested in the possibilities? Contact us for an informal conversation.
HB (Heike) Axmann, MSc
WR Onderzoeker