Quality controlled logistics in vegetable supply chain networks: how can an individual batch reach an individual consumer in hte optimal state?

Western-European consumers have become demanding on product availability in retail outlets and vegetable attributes such as quality, integrity, safety. When (re)designing vegetable supply chain networks one has to take these demands into consideration, next to traditional efficiency and responsiveness requirements. In post¬harvest research, much attention has been paid to quality decay modelling and the development of Time-Temperature Indicators to individually monitor the temperature conditions of vegetables throughout distribution. This paper discusses opportunities to use time-dependent product quality information in supply chain/logistics decision making to improve the design of vegetable supply chain networks. If product quality in each step of the supply chain can be predicted, product flows based on availability predictions can be controlled and better chain designs can be established. A case is presented to illustrate the value of this innovative concept of Quality Controlled Logistics through a Dutch tomato chain.