ABSTRACT
Agricultural supply chain analysis has traditionally been approached through a productionist paradigm, identifying stages in production, processing, distribution and marketing 'from paddock to plate'. A more comprehensive commodity systems analysis framework will add economic, policy and regulatory considerations. Critical theory also prompts us to consider critical power relations within, and external to, the chain. This paper suggests that a more holistic analysis requires consideration of changes in consumer culture that are driving both life sciences and ecological-integrated paradigms (Lang and Heasman 2004) with potential for profound impacts on supply chains and the management of future risks by the stakeholders in various sectors. It identifies a shift of the critical point in supply chain relations from the processor/retailer interface to the retailer/consumer boundary. It suggests that emerging eco-consumerism is also forging links between front and back ends of the chain—between consumers and primary producers. It will explore some of the drivers of such changes and the challenges posed for future local, regional, national and global industry structure and policy.
