The Role of Logistics in Perishable Food Waste Reduction: Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises Involved in Sri Lankan Food Supply Chains

Abstract

Perishable food waste is a significant global issue that impacts food security, economic sustainability, and environmental conservation. Among them, two of the most sensitive food categories, fish and dairy products, are of particular concern. This study explores the critical role of logistics in reducing perishable food waste in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the fish and dairy supply chain in Sri Lanka. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka face unique challenges due to inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and inefficient logistics practices. This research adopts a systematic literature review combined with qualitative and quantitative methods, including expert interviews and surveys, to identify the key logistics-related factors affecting food waste reduction, such as transportation, storage, handling, packaging, and distribution. A structured questionnaire survey was carried out with 120 stakeholders attached to fish and dairy industries and the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was performed to identify the impacts of key logistics factors on food waste reduction. A conceptual framework tailored to SMEs emphasizes innovations such as temperature-controlled transportation, real-time monitoring systems, and optimized handling methods. According to the findings, Improved transport infrastructure, temperature-controlled storage, and sector-specific handling practices are crucial and minimal-impact packaging should integrate advanced technologies and supply chain processes. These findings highlight the importance of integrating modern logistics practices to reduce waste, enhance food quality, and improve economic resilience. With implications for broader global contexts, the study provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders to foster sustainable food supply chains in Sri Lanka.