Winter is coming: the battle over cold chain logistics in the global agriculture

Abstract

The road transport of food is often overlooked in analyses of the socio-ecological impacts generated by the global agri-food chain. However, the development of fast, cheap and precise long-distance transport has been a key enabling factor for the integration of agro-export enclaves into international markets. This article uses a qualitative methodology to analyse the logistical rationality of European big retailers and its impact on the restructuring of the agro-export logistics sector. The research focuses on the Region of Murcia (Spain), one of the main exporters of fresh fruit and vegetable products in Europe. The findings show that the regulation of logistics activities by retail capital has reinforced business concentration and dependency dynamics within the sector. On one hand, small transport companies and self-employed truck drivers face a process of devaluation that threatens their survival in the export transport sector. On the other hand, large transport companies are moving into logistics by incorporating new storage services and the specialized management of perishable goods. Finally, the article highlights the relevance of private quality standards as part of the strategies used by large distribution chains to appropriate and enhance value in agro-exporting geographies.