Exploring the nexus of blockchain and food supply chain traceability: A bibliometric analysis

This research examines the development of academic studies on the use of blockchain for food supply chain traceability through an extensive bibliometric investigation of publications from 2018 to 2025. The review highlights the most active scholars, institutions, journals, and countries contributing to this area, offering a clear picture of the leading actors in the field. By applying keyword co-occurrence analysis and network mapping, the study uncovers patterns in citations, collaboration structures, and thematic clusters. Results indicate a strong upward trajectory in publications, with an annual growth rate of more than 60%, signaling accelerating attention to blockchain-enabled traceability solutions. Collaboration patterns point to a concentration of activity in technologically advanced regions, where cross-border partnerships are stronger, while emerging economies show more limited international engagement. The analysis also reveals that partnerships often form around shared areas of interest and reflects a clustering effect. A small set of authors and institutions dominates knowledge production, which is consistent with the Matthew effect. Overall, these dynamics suggest that while the field is rapidly expanding, it remains unevenly distributed. The study offers both an overview of the intellectual landscape and practical guidance for future research aimed at broadening participation, enhancing collaboration, and more closely linking blockchain with sustainability and food system innovation.