Short Food Supply Chains for Achieving Sustainable Growth in Central and Eastern European Countries

Abstract

Traditional types of short food supply chains have represented a significant part of food systems in most Central and Eastern European countries for centuries. In these countries, direct sales are the result of the dominance of small-scale family farms with subsistence and semi-subsistence farming, and their insufficient market integration in global food supply chains. The literature highlights that “short supply circuits” have undeniably contributed to reaching the sustainable growth of local communities and securing sustainable income of farmers. However, the authors' clear and critical opinion is that the positive contribution of short food supply chains to sustainable growth should not be generalised or excessively glorified. This attitude relies on the fact that the contribution of short food supply chains to all sustainability dimensions is determined by numerous factors and assumptions, and that the combination of different marketing channels is frequently required to maximise their total contribution to sustainable growth.