Comparison of short vs conventional networks to alleviate food insecurity through supply chain resilience.

Abstract

This study presents a pioneering quantitative comparison of the resilience and performance of short and long supply chains in the face of disruptions. The case study on raspberry production is conducted to perform this analysis. Through a comprehensive simulation framework, we analyze and compare a localized supply chain in the Northwest Territories of Canada against a long-distance supply chain importing raspberries from Mexico. This research makes a unique contribution to the field by quantitatively evaluating the performance and resilience of both short and long supply chains. Through a disruption history encompassing 54 varied scenarios, this study enables a clear, data-driven judgment of the two supply chain networks. This approach moves beyond the traditional reliance on qualitative and theoretical advantages, offering an empirical basis to compare their efficiency and robustness under disruptive conditions. The findings reveal significant insights into the costs, efficiency, and robustness of both supply chain models. The model developed here applies seven different network compositions for short and long supply networks to the 54 disruption scenarios, picking the optimal network overall in each scenario, leading to an average 5.2 percent increase in resilience, all while reducing costs by $4500. Importantly, the methodology and framework developed in this study are not confined to raspberry production; they hold potential for broader application across various supply networks. This aspect is particularly valuable for entrepreneurs and businesses in evaluating the feasibility and resilience of new ventures. Moreover, our findings offer actionable insights for governmental bodies, like the Government of Canada, in strategizing to incentivize local production. This approach could be a crucial step towards ensuring national food security and stabilizing food prices across the country, thereby having significant implications for policy-making and economic planning.