The supply chains of perishable products in northern Europe

Looks at the concept of supply chain management, discussing the theory and its relevance to perishables distribution and marketing. Shows how supply chain management (SCM) moves on from neoclassical theories of the firm to a new paradigm for business where competition pits channel against channel, and where supply chain partners combine skills and resources which none of the participants would be able to achieve independently. Argues that a growing recognition of the competitive advantage that can be gained through improving co‐ordination in the supply chain is the starting point for SCM initiatives that are evolving in the fresh produce sector. Observes that the fruit and vegetable supply chain has traditionally been fragmented but the last decade has seen rapid structural change. Briefly analyses the results of a qualitative survey of several northern European markets, in context, to highlight the differing degrees of pipeline integration within each system.