Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 2
Written by Iuliana MARIN, Victoria CONSTANTIN, Monica-Paula MARIN
Food waste in dairy supply chains represents a global challenge, driven by perishability, cold-chain inefficiencies, demand uncertainty, traceability gaps, and information asymmetry among stakeholders. Dairy products are among the most vulnerable food categories, with losses occurring at farm, processing, distribution, retail, and consumer levels. The current study proposes an integrated blockchain-based framework combined with IoT monitoring and predictive analytics to reduce waste across the dairy value chain. A hybrid blockchain architecture is developed to ensure end-to-end traceability, dynamic shelf-life estimation, and automated compliance validation via smart contracts. The framework integrates environmental sensors, milk quality indicators, and machine learning models to predict spoilage risk and optimize logistics decisions. Empirical validation conducted over a one-month pilot across a dairy production and distribution network demonstrates a 21% reduction in product waste, a 17% improvement in inventory turnover accuracy, and a 28% decrease in cold-chain-related losses. The findings highlight blockchain’s transformative potential not only as a traceability tool but as a decision-enabling infrastructure that aligns incentives, enhances transparency, and supports sustainable food system transitions.
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