Advances in Horticultural Value Chain Management
A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural Economics, Policy, Business Management and Marketing".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 February 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: agribusiness management; risk management in agriculture; entrepreneurship
Interests: climate change and farm management; behavioral and experimental economics; risk management in agriculture
Interests: pomology; biodiversity; sustainable growing; berry fruits; fruit quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The Special Issue of Horticulturae, entitled "Advances in Horticultural Value Chain Management", examines how technological innovations and agro-economic approaches can improve the efficiency, sustainability, and profitability of horticultural systems. As global demand for fresh produce continues to grow, the economic optimization of each stage of the value chain — from production and post-harvest to distribution and retail — is becoming increasingly important. This Issue explores how emerging technologies, such as precision horticulture, smart irrigation, IoT-based monitoring, digital platforms, blockchain for traceability, and artificial intelligence, are transforming the structure and performance of horticultural value chains.
We invite scholars to contribute research on innovations that improve the productivity, quality and sustainability of horticultural systems. Particular attention will be paid to post-harvest technologies, automation, digital tools, and innovations in storage, processing, and packaging and their profitability for value chain actors. The Special Issue also emphasizes the role of digital solutions in integrating smallholder farmers, improving their market access and increasing resilience to climate variability and market shocks.
In addition, papers are encouraged to address behavioral aspects of agriculture, including how farmers and other value chain actors are adopting new technologies and practices in the context of climate change. We are also interested in research on consumer behavior related to sustainable food choices, particularly how sustainable value chains influence consumption patterns.
By linking technological advances with agroeconomic insights, this Special Issue aims to provide evidence-based strategies to enable policy makers, practitioners, and researchers to promote inclusive, competitive, and climate-resilient horticultural value chains.
Prof. Dr. Mario Njavro
Dr. Tajana Čop
Prof. Dr. Boris Duralija
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- horticultural value chains
- technological innovation
- sustainability
- climate resilience
- climate-smart horticulture practices
- precision horticulture
- smart irrigation systems
- IoT-based monitoring
- blockchain traceability
- AI-driven practices
- digital tools in horticulture
- automation in horticulture
- post-harvest technologies
- innovations in storage
- innovations in processing
- innovations in packaging
- cost–benefit analysis
- farm behavior
- farm management practices
- economic impacts of climate change
- risk management in horticulture
- innovative business models in horticulture
- consumer demand
- consumer behavior with horticultural products
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