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The production chain of hazelnuts has been studied by analyzing three sets of samples produced in purity from three different pools of hazelnuts of cultivar “Tonda Gentile Trilobata”, “Tonda Gentile Romana” and “Mortarella”, all cultivated in Italy. From each pool, five processed products were obtained: roasted hazelnuts, hazelnut paste, hazelnut cream, Gianduja paste and Gianduiotto paste. After pre-treatment by means of dry ashing, all samples from each cultivar, including raw hazelnuts, were then analyzed by means of Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). A good discrimination was obtained among the different chain stages according to the distribution of the trace elements, as expected. More interesting was the discrimination among the different cultivars: it was possible to distinguish the samples produced from the respective cultivar by means of specific chemical markers, particularly Mo and Ni.

We propose two distinct approaches to the measurement of industry upstreamness (or average distance from final use) and show that they yield an equivalent measure. Furthermore, we provide two additional interpretations of this measure, one of them related to the concept of forward linkages. We construct this measure for 426 industries using the 2002 US input-output Tables. We also construct our measure using data from selected countries in the OECD STAN database. Finally, we present an application of our measure that explores the determinants of the average upstreamness of exports at the country level using trade flows for 2002.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to address the global COVID-19 pandemic related to its sustainability, such as environmental, economic and social concerns. The short study also examined how various innovative approaches can help promote sustainable production. Design/methodology/approach The methodology examines hypothetical scenarios of the current pandemic and tries to describe the quality of evidence to facilitate careful, critical engagement by readers. Secondary data is used to identify sustainability challenges, such as environmental, social and economic viability challenges. The information in this report was gathered from numerous media outlets, research agencies, policy papers, newspapers and other sources to gain a better knowledge of the issue. Findings As a result, most industry executives and policymakers are looking for appropriate strategies and policies to improve their practices and meet consumer demand. The outcomes explore that the COVID-19 pandemic is a central factor in changes in people’s behavior, reflecting sustainability such as environmental, social and economic responsibility. The COVID-19 outbreak, surprisingly, had a bigger effect on sustainable consumption, accompanied by environmental sustainability, and, to a lesser extent, social and economic viability. Research limitations/implications Limited secondary evidence and data could not scrutinize the study’s actual problem statements. Hence, it is recommended that the gap in research be fulfilled by conducting a primary survey among various groups of economists, environmentalists and industrialists using the cluster sampling technique by validating the questionnaire of the total sustainable production system. Proposing frameworks for improving the resilience of production and a systematic possible upgraded manufacturing system by using the Industry 4.0 technology during operational processes could advance market demand. Practical implications The COVID-19 scenario has compelled manufacturing firms to put their production systems on hold for an extended period while they seek long-term solutions to assure simple delivery and cooperation from both business and consumer standpoints. Various aspects of supply and demand are discussed in the referendum, as well as production and consumption challenges during the COVID-19 era. There is a need to restore the production system and find the right source of raw materials. This work focuses on commodity inventory management systems due to mass production, but due to pandemics, it is not in demand and vice versa. The researcher made comprehensible remarks on the use of digitization in the pandemic, which improves social distancing and social well-being and promotes the production system as well. Besides, manufacturing plants should switch to digital manufacturing to reduce the number of workplaces and hence the risk of an outbreak. Therefore, a better supply chain network is needed to supply more manufacturing units. Social implications There is a bright side of coronavirus that the public health crisis raised worldwide has brought many opportunities for governments and society to make eternal reforms in the public health sector door. During restricted movements for fulfilling market demand, the Industry 4.0 technologies for automation, mechanization and digitalization can help significantly advance a company. This technological advancement and computer digitization for the perspective people may improve the environment, economic and social sustainability also increase social media adoption, which can be crucial for agri-businesses to evaluate customers’ behavior and consumption trends. Originality/value The paper also instructed to identify critical success factors, barriers and drivers for dealing with the pandemic situation and to develop a strategic policy framework to improve production and process flexibility through the remarkable introduction of digital manufacturing. Before it is too late to stop the spread, producers and consumers must grasp the limits to which suppliers might drive nature.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights that we exist in a global community. From a single city, it spread to 188 countries across the world and infected 30 million people by September 18, 2020. Decades of modeling pandemics predicted potential consequences, but COVID-19's impact on the food supply chain, and specifically livestock production was unexpected. Clusters of cases among workers in meat processing plants evolved quickly to affect human, animal, and environmental welfare in several countries. In processing plants, the hygiene focus is on product quality and food safety. Because of their close proximity to one another, COVID-19 spread rapidly between workers and the lack of sick leave and health insurance likely resulted in workers continuing to work when infectious. In the United States (U.S.) many processing plants shut down when they identified major outbreaks, putting pressure especially on pig and poultry industries. At one point, there was a 45% reduction in pig processing capacity meaning about 250,000 pigs per day were not slaughtered. This resulted in longer transport distances to plants in operation with extra capacity, but also to crowding of animals on farm. Producers were encouraged to slow growth rates, but some had to cull animals on farm in ways that likely included suffering and caused considerable upset to owners and workers. Carcass disposal was also associated with potential biosecurity risks and detrimental effects on the environment. Hence, this is a One Welfare issue, affecting human, animal, and environmental welfare and highlighting the fragility of intensive, high-throughput livestock production systems. This model needs to be re-shaped to include the animal, human, and environmental elements across the farm to fork chain. Such a One Welfare approach will ensure that food production systems are resilient, flexible, and fair in the face of future challenges.

Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate the factors involved in the sustainability of the quinoa production chain in the Inclán district, Tacna province and department.   Theoretical Framework: Various studies have addressed quinoa cultivation, but often omit critical aspects of sustainability in the production chain. Agricultural sustainability is essential for preserving natural resources and maintaining biodiversity.   Method: The research adopted a quantitative, descriptive approach using a non-experimental design. The sample included 144 quinoa producers from the project \"Strengthening and Development of the Quinoa Production Chain in the Inclán District\", selected for accessibility. A survey of 27 items, grouped into 9 dimensions with dichotomous responses, was used. The dimensions were organized into three sustainability criteria: soil life conservation, erosion risk, and biodiversity management.   Results and Discussion: The results showed a critical level of sustainability in soil life conservation and erosion risk, while biodiversity management showed a low level. These issues are attributed to monoculture practices, excessive use of agrochemicals and heavy machinery, and the lack of proper seed management.   Research Implications: The findings highlight the need to shift conventional agricultural practices towards more sustainable methods to mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity and natural resources.   Originality/Value: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of sustainability in quinoa production, highlighting critical areas that require attention to improve agricultural sustainability. Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate the factors involved in the sustainability of the quinoa production chain in the Inclán district, Tacna province and department.   Theoretical Framework: Various studies have addressed quinoa cultivation, but often omit critical aspects of sustainability in the production chain. Agricultural sustainability is essential for preserving natural resources and maintaining biodiversity.   Method: The research adopted a quantitative, descriptive approach using a non-experimental design. The sample included 144 quinoa producers from the project \"Strengthening and Development of the Quinoa Production Chain in the Inclán District\", selected for accessibility. A survey of 27 items, grouped into 9 dimensions with dichotomous responses, was used. The dimensions were organized into three sustainability criteria: soil life conservation, erosion risk, and biodiversity management.   Results and Discussion: The results showed a critical level of sustainability in soil life conservation and erosion risk, while biodiversity management showed a low level. These issues are attributed to monoculture practices, excessive use of agrochemicals and heavy machinery, and the lack of proper seed management.   Research Implications: The findings highlight the need to shift conventional agricultural practices towards more sustainable methods to mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity and natural resources.   Originality/Value: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of sustainability in quinoa production, highlighting critical areas that require attention to improve agricultural sustainability.

The technological constraints on sustaining production chains have been discussed extensively by development economists, but the role of financial linkages has received less attention. In a model of recursive moral hazard for a manufacturing supply chain, we show that the structure of interlocking receivables and payables serve as the glue for the production chain that sustains complex manufacturing output. The inefficiency associated with recursive moral hazard can be mitigated through optimal delays in payments along the chain. However, efficiency requires large stocks of working capital, and invoice prices are high due to implicit amortization costs of inter-firm credit.

Cross-border production chains tend to include geographically proximate countries. This suggests that increases in fragmentation should be largest among nearby trading partners, and thus may serve to localize gross trade. Using data on gross and value added trade from 1970-2009, we present three results supporting this conjecture. First, value added to export ratios are lower and falling more rapidly within geographic regions than between them. Second, gross trade travels shorter distances from source to destination than value added trade, and this gap is growing over time. Third, bilateral value added to export ratios have fallen most among nearby trading partners.

Purpose: The present research aims to analyze the organizational structure of the honey chain in the state of Rio Grande do Norte.   Method/design/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight representative subjects from the beekeeping chain in the municipalities of Rio Grande do Norte. A descriptive qualitative approach was adopted to analyze the organizational relationships within the chain.   Results and conclusion: The results highlight challenges in regulating the honey production chain, suggesting improvements in governance through collaborative development of regulations. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of associations and producer cooperatives in strengthening beekeeping, adding value, and overcoming commercial challenges. Certification was deemed more relevant for the chain links involved in honey processing and distribution.   Research implications: The study reveals that the various actors involved in the honey production chain in Rio Grande do Norte have significant disagreements regarding the interpretation of the legislation governing the production of this product.   Originality/value: The research contributes to understanding the organizational structure of the honey chain in Rio Grande do Norte, providing development strategies in the apiculture sector.

Salmonella is one of the most spread foodborne pathogens worldwide, and Salmonella infections in humans still represent a global health burden. The main source of Salmonella infections in humans is represented by contaminated animal-derived foodstuffs, with pork products being one of the most important players. Salmonella infection in swine is critical not only because it is one of the main causes of economic losses in the pork industry, but also because pigs can be infected by several Salmonella serovars, potentially contaminating the pig meat production chain and thus posing a significant threat to public health globally. As of now, in Europe and in the United States, swine-related Salmonella serovars, e.g., Salmonella Typhimurium and its monophasic variant Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica 1,4,[5],12:i:-, are also frequently associated with human salmonellosis cases. Moreover, multiple outbreaks have been reported in the last few decades which were triggered by the consumption of Salmonella-contaminated pig meat. Throughout the years, changes and evolution across the pork industry may have acted as triggers for new issues and obstacles hindering Salmonella control along the food chain. Gathered evidence reinforces the importance of coordinating control measures and harmonizing monitoring programs for the efficient control of Salmonella in swine. This is necessary in order to manage outbreaks of clinical disease in pigs and also to protect pork consumers by controlling Salmonella subclinical carriage and shedding. This review provides an update on Salmonella infection in pigs, with insights on Salmonella ecology, focusing mainly on Salmonella Choleraesuis, S. Typhimurium, and S. 1,4,[5],12:i:-, and their correlation to human salmonellosis cases. An update on surveillance methods for epidemiological purposes of Salmonella infection in pigs and humans, in a “One Health” approach, will also be reported.

This study analyzes the milk production and processing chain in the southern region in Nariño, Colombia, through an optimization model aimed at improving the profitability of small-scale producers. Currently, about 44% of the region's milk is sent to collection centers and transported to large processing companies, resulting in frequent losses and reduced prices due to the product’s perishability. The proposed model evaluates the creation of processing plants managed by local associations under a solidarity economy approach, for transforming a part of surplus milk and increasing producer income. The optimization model suggests establishing a plant in Guachucal, one of the region’s top milk-producing municipalities, which could potentially double profits through the production of dairy derivatives such as cheese. Various scenarios were analyzed, supporting the feasibility of this strategy as a means to economically reactivate and strengthen the regional dairy sector. Este estudio analiza la cadena de producción y transformación de leche en la región sur de Nariño, Colombia, mediante un modelo de optimización orientado a mejorar la rentabilidad de pequeños productores. Actualmente, cerca del 44% de la leche producida se envía a centros de acopio y luego a grandes transformadoras, generando pérdidas y bajos precios debido a la alta perecibilidad del producto. Se analiza la apertura de plantas de procesamiento gestionadas por asociaciones locales bajo un modelo de economía solidaria, con el fin de transformar parte del excedente de leche y mejorar los ingresos del productor. El modelo de optimización sugiere la instalación de una planta en Guachucal, uno de los municipios con mayor producción, lo que permitiría duplicar las utilidades al producir derivados como quesos. Además, se exploran diversos escenarios que respaldan la viabilidad de esta estrategia como mecanismo de reactivación económica y fortalecimiento del sector lechero regional.