Comprehensive risk management in agricultural supply chains: strategies and approaches - case of Persian lime in Veracruz

The Agri-Food Supply Chain (AFSC) is essential for global food supply, economic development, and employment. However, it faces significant risks that undermine its efficiency, mainly due to the perishability of its products, which complicates risk management. Despite its importance, research on risks in this sector, especially for specific agricultural products, remains limited. This study addresses this gap by identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing risks in the first link of the Persian Lime (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) AFSC in the Citrus District of Martínez de la Torre, Veracruz, Mexico. Using semi-structured interviews with eleven experts in integrated crop management, 53 risks were identified and categorized into natural, pest, disease, supply, and operational risks. The Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique was applied to analyze cause-effect interactions. At the same time, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) was used to prioritize these risks. The results indicate that pesticide scarcity is the most influential causal risk, while an incidence exceeding 5% of trees affected by gummosis (Phytophthora spp.) has the most excellentmost significant impact. Additionally, high staff turnover was identified as the most critical risk. These findings give decision-makers a robust foundation to develop risk management plans that enhance the AFSC's resilience. Such measures will help ensure a continuous food supply and enable processing and packing companies in the subsequent links to meet demand, thus improving the stability and sustainability of the agri-food system amid long-term disruptions.