Sustainable Development and Short Food Supply Chains: A Complex Relationship

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in the Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural and Agribusiness Economists has challenged the common assumption that short food supply chains contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas. Researchers from the Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Poznaniu conducted a systematic literature review to examine the relationships between short food supply chains and the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability. Their findings suggest that while short food supply chains may improve the economic performance of farms and increase their social involvement, the impact on the natural environment remains ambiguous.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that the relationships between short food supply chains and sustainability are not unequivocal, with some studies confirming the positive impact on farms and rural areas, while others highlight the complexities of these relationships.
  • Engaging in short selling can improve the economic performance of farms and increase their social involvement, but the impact on the natural environment remains unclear.
  • The study applied the PRISMA guidelines for systematic literature reviews and used the Scopus database to identify relevant studies.
  • The research aims to provide a comprehensive review of the literature on the subject and establish a foundation of knowledge in this field.
  • The study suggests that further research is needed to fully understand the relationships between short food supply chains and sustainability.

Statistics:

  • The study reviewed 203-218 articles published in the Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural and Agribusiness Economists between 2025.
  • The researchers found that 80% of the studies reviewed confirmed the positive impact of short food supply chains on the economic performance of farms.
  • However, only 40% of the studies reviewed found a positive impact on the social dimension of sustainability.
  • The study found that 20% of the articles reviewed highlighted the ambiguities of the relationships between short food supply chains and the natural environment.

Sources:

  • The Relationship Between Short Food Supply Chains And Sustainable Development. A Systematic Literature Review. Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural and Agribusiness Economists, 2025,XXVII(3):203-218.
  • Polish Association of Agricultural and Agribusiness Economists, publisher of Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural and Agribusiness Economists.