Strategic Insights into Post-harvest Losses: A Spherical Fuzzy Delphi-DEMATEL Investigation of the Vietnamese Agricultural Supply Chain

The perishable nature of fresh commodities, along with unpredictable demand and fluctuating prices in agriculture supply chains, poses challenges in reducing post-harvest losses. This study proposes a two-stage cause-effect approach to investigate critical criteria and sub-criteria leading to post-harvest losses in the agriculture supply chain in emerging countries, focusing on Vietnam. Spherical fuzzy sets address uncertainty and subjectivity in expert judgment. First, the Spherical fuzzy Delphi method (SF-Delphi) is used to identify significant criteria and sub-criteria. Second, the Spherical fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (SF-DEMATEL) method determines relationships among selected factors. Results show transportation as the most significant causal factor, followed by demand forecasting, storage, packaging, and retail. These findings provide guidance for supply chain stakeholders and decision-makers to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance overall supply chain effectiveness.