Sustainability of Perishable Food Cold Chain Logistics: A Systematic Literature Review

Rising demand for fresh produce is driving the growth of the perishable food cold chain logistics (PFCCL) market. However, unsustainable practices threaten its expansion. This study addresses this gap by conducting a systematic literature review using a PRISMA framework. By analyzing 80 articles from the Web of Science (2010–2023), this study identifies key challenges to PFCCL sustainability, including infrastructure limitations, high energy use, and workforce skill shortages. Besides, this research highlights a focus on decision-making tools for sustainability and the potential of smart technologies. This study calls for further investigation into social sustainability, theoretical frameworks, empirical studies on sustainable strategies, advanced decision-making techniques, and real-world applications of smart technologies. The study is significant because it clarifies some of the major issues that PFCCL faces, including environmental effects, infrastructure deficiencies, and perishability problems. It educates stakeholders and policymakers about the critical need for sustainable practices (i.e., mitigation strategies, decision-making optimization approaches, and smart technology solutions) in the PFCCL by revealing these insights.