- Author CRCNA and research partners
- Publish date 11 June 2026
- Type Report
- Documents
- Supply chain development
- Strategic policy development
Summary
This impact assessment examines the outcomes of the CRCNA’s Smart Supply Chains project, which developed and tested innovative technologies to improve food quality, traceability and transparency across northern Australia’s horticulture supply chains. Using the mango industry as a demonstration case, the project combined quality assessment sensors, smart logistics tracking and blockchain technology to provide secure, real-time product information from paddock to retailer.
The assessment highlights how the project improved supply chain efficiency, reduced duplication in data management, strengthened product integrity and enhanced consumer confidence through verifiable provenance information. It also explores the broader potential for digital traceability technologies to support premium export markets, reduce waste and improve competitiveness across northern Australia’s agricultural sector. The report outlines project impacts to date and the future opportunities for wider adoption of smart supply chain technologies across horticultural and food industries.
Projects
Reframing smart supply chains in Northern Australia
Supply chains are fundamental to improving the competitiveness, prosperity, productivity and sustainability of northern Australia. This project aimed to renew and reframe the approach to agricultural supply chains in northern Australia by developing alternative models of supply chain management that are efficient, effective, smart and agile. It identified key policy and budgetary directions to support effective supply chains across the region and explored potential partnerships for collaborative planning and implementation of supply chain initiatives. The project also contributed to advancing supply chain thinking and analysis. A comprehensive report was produced, providing an overview of supply chain issues in northern Australia and outlining strategies to reframe options for effective market access and economic development. The report included : Support for informed decision-making regarding the future investments in infrastructure, technology and investment attraction. Guidance for reframing supply chain implementation to enhance domestic and export market growth and efficiency. Recommendations for government on renewed policy frameworks and budgetary initiatives to ensure effective supply chain management in northern Australia. Strategies to build and develop capacity and capability for supply chain research and management across sectors – including industry, government and researchers. Identification of future-focused research priorities to strengthen the evidence base and supply chain thinking and analysis by researchers. Recommendations for short-term and long-term on-ground actions relevant to industry, government and other stakeholders.