An Exergeticcold Chain Methodological Analisys Onhorticultural Productive Chains to Evaluate Productivity and Competitiveness: Study Case Andean Blackberry

Abstract

This research has resulted in a methodology of exergy analysis of main requirements to implement cold chain models in agribusiness productive chains, which improve the productivity and competitiveness indicators that contribute to accomplish demands on product quality for minimally processed and processed products for domestic and international markets. Based on the model of links and segments, which in the case of the agricultural sector involves activities from the primary producer to the end user, are analyzed in a cross-linked and their current status, the requirements in terms of product distribution logistics of the cold chain, as a mechanism for keeping quality of the products to the end consumer. Given the requirements of the cold chain, the models proposed in the literature were analyzed, from conceptualization and identification of critical control points. Finally methodology evaluates the product exergy losses along the production chain for scenarios in which contemplates the use and non-use of the cold chain, from a thermodynamic analysis, interpretation contemplating thermoeconomics and its impact on productivity and competitiveness indicators considering fresh Andean Blackberry (RubusGlaucus) as a study case.