Decision models enabling the supply chain optimization

The agrifood supply chain of perishable products is affected by environmental abuses from harvest to the final destination responsible for the uncontrolled deterioration of food. The factor mainly influencing the food quality is the temperature able to inhibit or stimulate deterioration processes. The present work shows that the temperature monitoring through innovative and non-invasive technologies can ameliorate the decision making process thus improving the efficiency/responsiveness of the supply chain. The suitability of such an approach is evaluated by monitoring food quality during pre and post harvest stages. In the pre-harvest stage innovative technologies joined to growth models lead to the determination of ripeness date. In the post-harvest they allow to monitor the remaining quality at any stage of the supply chain allowing the proper delivering of products in markets where they are still suitable for selling. Finally the topic of the implementation costs of the innovative technologies is tackled. The work is addressed to the supply chain members supporting them to take decisions in the context of agrifood supply chain encouraging the use of innovative technologies.