Challenges in international food supply chains: vertical co‐ordination in the European agribusiness and food industries

Presents the need for the European agribusiness and food industries to redesign and reposition their activities in the food supply chain, both at a technical and organizational level, in order to achieve customer satisfaction and business efficiency. Focuses on the findings of ten supply chain projects in the Dutch horticultural sector and on the results of a benchmarking project in five different European countries. Describes the activities of the “Agri Chain Competence” programme in The Netherlands. Stresses that more attention should be paid to international food supply chains and that chain reversal asks for new methods, tools and expertise on chain analysis and chain management.