Review of the food processing supply chain literature: a UK, India bilateral context

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the meaning and operationalization of food supply chains in the context of the UK and India. Design/methodology/approach The paper follows the systematic literature review approach. The paper examines 99 articles published in peer-reviewed-journals from 1995 to 2017. Findings Findings reveal that food supply chain literature is explored along themes of procurement, food processing, innovation, traceability, safety, environment and sustainability, food policy, quality, health, consumer behavior and packaging. Within these themes, the UK researchers have primarily addressed vertical integration, coordination, safety, competitiveness and transparency and information technology. Indian researchers have focused on issues such as consumer perceptions, retail format choice, organic, health and wellness products. An empirical category is the most popular approach. The survey method is the most popular approach followed by the single case studies. Research limitations/implications The paper contributes to the body of knowledge by presenting a unified synthesis of articles dealing with the food supply chain in the bilateral context of the UK and India. Practical implications The policy makers could use findings for conceptualization of complementarities and possible food supply chain networks. Social implications Food processing activities may have potential to provide sustaining livelihoods to around sixty percent of the Indian population which depends on the agriculture. In the bilateral context, the UK may also get a reliable and cost competitive partner to meet its food import needs. This will help the UK to focus more on its service-led economy which, in turn, may create more jobs. Originality/value The paper highlights the contextual issues of both the countries and presents opportunities for future collaboration.