Nexus of Cold Chain Logistics Distribution Routing and Scheduling for Safe Fresh Tomatoes Distribution in Nigeria

The safe and effective delivery of fresh Tomato products is critical for maintaining the quality of fresh tomato products and for decreasing the post-harvest losses experienced in the value chain. It also enhances the tomato products' early delivery quality preservation and shelf-life extension. However, globally huge fresh tomato waste and losses are annually being recorded as a result of poor delivery practices. In Nigeria, the tomato value chain product losses have been on the rise annually about 40% to 50% due to poor distribution practices. This paper investigates the nexus between cold chain logistics vehicles routing and scheduling and how it impacts the safe distribution of fresh tomato products in Nigeria. This will encompass the identification of relevant literature on optimal routes, selection for appropriate cold chain logistics vehicle routes, and schedules planning, the paper will also investigate the factors responsible for the inefficiencies of cold chain vehicle routing and scheduling operations geared towards promoting cold chain logistics performance and sustenance in the tomato value chains in Nigeria. The methodology employed for this study entails the conduct of a semi-structured interview and focus group discussion to generate data, analyzed using thematic analysis. The results of the study show that infrastructure limitations, insecurity challenges, absence of well-defined supermarket channels, regulatory challenges, weather challenges, transportation challenges and market demand uncertainties impede effective vehicle routing and scheduling practices which have a negative impact on the fresh tomato distribution in Nigeria. These findings suggest that poor routing and scheduling practices can slow the growth of cold chain logistics and increase the risk of tomato product losses and waste, thus increasing the rate of food insecurity in Nigeria. This study's findings will help to give transport planners relevant information that will guide them in policy formulation to mitigate against the imminent food insecurity challenges experienced in the Tomato value chains in Nigeria during distribution operations. Hence, future studies could focus on finding the economic implication of vehicle routing and scheduling on cold chain business growth and efficiency in Nigeria.