THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES OF ESTABLISHING AND MANAGING COLD CHAIN SUPPLY CHAINS FOR PERISHABLE PRODUCTS

Abstract

The article investigates the theoretical foundations of the formation and management of cold supply chains for perishable products. The growing importance of cold chains is associated with increasing production and trade in temperature-sensitive goods, stricter safety and quality requirements, the expansion of multimodal transportation, and the implementation of digital monitoring technologies. Unlike conventional logistics systems, cold supply chains require continuous compliance with specified temperature conditions throughout the entire logistics process, which substantially complicates their management.

The paper analyzes existing scientific approaches to defining the concept of a cold chain and demonstrates the evolution of its interpretation from a technological process of temperature maintenance to an integrated logistics management system. Based on the synthesis of scientific approaches, the concept of a cold supply chain is defined as an integrated system for managing material, information, and service flows aimed at ensuring continuous compliance with temperature requirements during the movement of perishable products from the producer to the final consumer while preserving product quality, safety, economic efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

The structural elements of a typical international cold supply chain are systematized, including production, refrigerated transportation, storage, order processing, multimodal transportation in refrigerated containers, and distribution. It is substantiated that the effectiveness of cold chains depends on coordinated interaction among participants, real-time temperature monitoring, product traceability, risk management, and the availability of specialized refrigerated infrastructure.

Particular attention is devoted to the analysis of the Ukrainian regulatory framework governing cold supply chains. The study identifies the specific legal requirements applicable to medical products, food products, and veterinary medicines and substantiates the role of regulatory support as an integral component of effective cold chain management.


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