Abstract

International supply chains have mainly been addressed in literature from a demand side perspective. This article addresses sustainable development issues from a supply side perspective. The paper is based on exploratory research done in the supply chain of Table Grapes in South Africa. The objective of this research is to get an understanding on the functionality of the chain as a whole by identifying the specific challenges with regards to sustainability as viewed by supply side participants in the chain. We address the need for research to understand sustainability from a business perspective within the supply chain as opposed to previous studies focussing on governance issues and external involvement to address this important issue. This necessitated a study into the processes, the actors involved and the various roles and activities of each actor. This exploratory study reports on workshops and in depth interviews conducted in four of the five-table grape producing regions in South Africa. The paper emphasises the weak position of growers at the first link of the supply chain, especially for smaller farms. Supply chain standards promoting sustainability appear not to cope with this weak position and add additional problems to isolated farmers in South Africa’s developing agricultural sector.

Key words: Supply chain, sustainability, agriculture.