Sustainability and Digitalization of the agri-food supply chain: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Abstract– Digitalization and automation are transforming agro-industries due to the need to optimize efficiency, ensure food availability, and meet the demands of the global market. The aim of this study is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the level of digitalization in the sector and to identify the factors that restrict its implementation, in order to collect and examine the available evidence to understand the causes of this technological gap over time and its impact on progress toward more competitive, efficient, and sustainable agri-food systems. The PIOC approach was applied to the research to achieve a precise definition of the population, intervention, outcomes, and context of analysis. This enabled the establishment of clear criteria for information retrieval. Based on this framework, the PRISMA methodology was used to select 20 studies published between 2020 and 2025, which were obtained through systematic searches of international academic databases. This process allowed for the extraction of up-to-date and relevant information on digitalization and the persistent constraints on its implementation in agri-food systems, revealing that digital technologies enable a significant reduction in losses, improve sustainability, and optimize processes to meet international standards. Finally, the study concludes that digitalization represents a strategic pathway toward more sustainable, efficient, and resilient agro-industries; however, its effective adoption requires adequate infrastructure, investment, training, and policies aimed at reducing existing technological gaps. Keywords– Sustainability, Automation, Digitalization, Agro-industry, Supply chain