From Sustainability Narratives to Digital Infrastructures: Mapping the Transformation of Smart Agri-Food Systems

TL;DR

This paper maps how digital technologies and sustainability goals are reshaping global agri-food systems through a detailed analysis of research trends from 2004 to 2025.

Contribution

The study introduces bibliometric analysis as a method to track conceptual and structural shifts in agri-food system research.

Findings

Scholarly activity on sustainable and digital agri-food systems surged after 2020.

Europe, especially Italy, the Netherlands, and France, leads in research output and policy responsiveness.

Four key research themes emerged: digital governance, blockchain, circular economy, and ESG frameworks.

Abstract

The convergence of digital innovation and sustainability imperatives is transforming the architecture of agri-food systems, signaling not just a technological upgrade, but a reorganization of how food production, distribution, and governance are approached. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric mapping of global research on sustainable and digital agri-food systems between 2004 and 2025, based on data from the Web of Science Core Collection and analyzed using the Bibliometrix within RStudio (Version: 2024.12.1+563). Through co-word analysis, bibliographic coupling, and temporal trend exploration, the study identified a marked surge in scholarly activity after 2020, driven by the alignment of digital innovation with major policy frameworks such as the European Green Deal and the Farm-to-Fork Strategy. Findings highlight Europe—particularly Italy, the Netherlands, and France—as the leading knowledge hub, demonstrating both institutional capacity and policy responsiveness. Thematic clusters revealed four dominant trajectories in recent research: digital governance, blockchain and traceability, circular economy integration, and ESG-based performance frameworks. These directions suggest a transition from narrow efficiency-centered approaches to more comprehensive, ethically informed, and technologically integrated agri-food systems. The study frames digitalization as both a technical infrastructure and a socio-organizational driver that reshapes transparency, accountability, and coordination within food value chains. It also outlines strategic entry points for improving interoperability, bridging digital divides, and advancing collaborative governance models across the agri-food sector. In addition to its empirical findings, the article contributes methodologically by positioning bibliometric analysis as a valuable tool for tracking major conceptual and structural shifts within food system research. In conclusion, digital transformation in agri-food systems is not merely about technological enhancement—it is a fundamental restructuring of processes, relationships, and governance mechanisms that define how food systems operate in an era of innovation, complexity, and sustainability challenges.

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