Blockchain in the French agri-food sector: redefining transparency, standardization and power dynamics

Purpose Blockchain technology enhances transparency and traceability in agri-food supply chains. This study aims to examine its impact on power dynamics, standardization and data sovereignty in the French sector. Through qualitative research, including interviews with key stakeholders, it highlights blockchain’s potential to improve transparency while posing risks of data capture and control. Findings show blockchain can reconfigure power relations by allowing some actors to influence emerging standards and industry practices. A conceptual framework is proposed to guide future studies on blockchain’s transformative role in agri-food supply chains, balancing its opportunities and challenges in reshaping the sector. Design/methodology/approach This study uses an inductive research approach to explore blockchain technology’s implications for transparency, standardization and power redistribution in agri-food supply chains. A qualitative methodology was adopted to analyze stakeholder interactions, leveraging nonparticipant observations, semistructured interviews and document analysis at key industry events like SIMA and the International Agricultural Show. Data from nine interviews with stakeholders, including Carrefour and Tilkal, were triangulated with industry reports to examine blockchain’s role in reshaping power dynamics and transparency. Thematic analysis using NVivo identified patterns, contradictions and insights into how blockchain redefines transparency, governance and control, highlighting challenges and opportunities in the sector. Findings This study reveals blockchain’s dual role in agri-food supply chains: enhancing transparency and traceability while raising challenges around power dynamics, standardization and data governance. Blockchain enables detailed, verifiable product information, offering strategic advantages but requiring significant data standardization efforts, which smaller actors may struggle to achieve. Risks of data overexposure and industrial secrecy highlight the need for robust governance to balance transparency with privacy. Standardization efforts, driven by major players like Carrefour, underline the political nature of blockchain adoption, with implications for power reallocation and digital sovereignty. Startups like Crystalchain emphasize national standards to safeguard data control and market access. Research limitations/implications This study’s focus on the French agri-food sector limits its applicability to other contexts. Future research could include international case studies to compare blockchain adoption across regulatory environments and supply chain setups. While qualitative methods were used, quantitative approaches could assess blockchain’s impact on performance metrics like cost efficiency, transparency and trust. Long-term effects on smallholder farmers and marginalized actors also warrant exploration. As blockchain integrates with other digital tools, its influence on power dynamics and data sovereignty will grow, requiring further study to create transparent, resilient and equitable agri-food systems. Addressing these gaps offers a broader understanding. Practical implications From a managerial perspective, the findings provide insights for both technology providers and agri-food companies considering blockchain adoption. This study underscores the importance of adopting a collaborative approach to blockchain implementation, where stakeholders co-create standards and governance frameworks to prevent power imbalances. Managers are encouraged to view blockchain not merely as a technology for compliance but as a strategic tool that must be carefully integrated to ensure it aligns with the broader goals of sustainability and equitable value distribution within supply chains. Social implications While blockchain has the potential to transform agri-food supply chains by enhancing transparency and standardization, its adoption raises complex issues related to power dynamics, digital sovereignty and data governance. The findings indicate that the standardization process is inherently political, with significant implications for how power and control are distributed among stakeholders. Future research should further explore these dynamics to develop governance frameworks that ensure equitable access and participation for all actors within the agri-food supply chain. Originality/value This study’s originality lies in its exploration of blockchain’s socio-political impacts on agri-food supply chains, moving beyond technical analyses. It highlights blockchain’s dual role as a transparency facilitator and power reconfigurer, reshaping governance and digital sovereignty, particularly in the French context. The conceptualization of blockchain as technological governance linking transparency and power dynamics is a novel contribution. Its value lies in offering actionable insights for managing blockchain adoption, urging collaborative approaches to prevent power imbalances and align with sustainability goals. This study also expands theoretical discourse, introducing blockchain’s paradoxical role and proposing future research directions.