Circular economy practices in agri-food supply chains: A systematic review of post-harvest waste reduction strategies

Abstract

This review examines how circular economy (CE) principles can be applied to reduce post harvest losses (PHL) in agriculture, particularly in developing nations where PHL significantly undermines food security, economic stability and environmental sustainability. Implementing CE principles helps reduce waste by transforming agricultural by-products into resources and reusing them within the supply chain, thereby minimizing the ecological footprint. The study analyses the literature to understand how CE approaches such as 3R model (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) cradle-to-cradle design, industrial symbiosis and regenerative practices can be applied. A total of 27 relevant English language peer-reviewed articles published from 2014 to 2024 were identified through searches on ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. The review identifies critical post-harvest stages that can significantly benefit from the implementation of CE principles. Examples include converting food waste into compost or bioenergy, upcycling surplus food into new products or ingredients, using waste materials to replace raw resources, adapting sustainable packaging, utilizing renewable energy for cold storage, fostering inter-company collaboration to share resources, employing technology to trace food throughout the chain and converting waste into energy. These measures focus on reducing waste, reusing by-products and optimizing resource utilization. Successful adoption of CE also depends on technological innovations and active cooperation among all stakeholders. Case studies from Nigeria, India and the United Nations provide insights into multiple CE implementation models, challenges encountered and the benefits of incorporating CE into agricultural policies and rural development strategies. In conclusion, adopting CE principles within agri-food systems holds considerable potential to reduce PHL, enhance food security and strengthen environmental and economic resilience. These findings provide a valuable foundation for guiding future research, policy formulation and the broader transition toward sustainable circular agriculture.