Minimizing losses in milk supply chain with sustainability: An example from an emerging economy

Food loss in supply chain is a growing problem due to its environmental, social and economic impacts. Especially in emerging economies losses mostly occur in the first stages of the supply chain including agricultural production and postharvest storage. As an emerging economy, Turkey, also suffers from the food losses in the supply chain. In this study, focus is on raw milk losses in the supply chain since livestock and diary sectors are one of the most important sectors in Turkey's economy. Aim of this study is firstly, to investigate root causes of raw milk losses in the supply chain and to predict potential raw milk losses. Secondly, presenting a sustainable solution according to the results of the prediction and finally achieving environmental, social and economic benefits for sustainable raw milk supply chain. Grey Method is used to predict potential losses between 2017-2019 and at the end of the study, triple bottom line based sustainable collection center model is suggested for policymakers.