Optimizing Agricultural Logistics Networks: Evidence from the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Author(s):

  • Tran Trung Chuyen (Faculty of Business Administration-Marketing, Nam Can Tho University, Vietnam, Ph.D. student at the Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST)
  • Premkumar Rajagopal (School of Business, Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST)
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Abstract:
Agricultural supply chains (ASC) in the Mekong Delta face significant challenges in balancing economic efficiency, social development, and environmental sustainability. This study develops a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model to optimize the citrus supply chain (CSC) by simultaneously minimizing total costs, maximizing employment, and reducing CO? emissions. The augmented ?-constraint method was applied to generate Pareto-optimal solutions and to identify trade-offs among competing objectives. The results indicate that within a predictable range, moderate increases in employment can be achieved with stable marginal costs and emissions. However, beyond a critical knee point, additional social benefits come at disproportionately high economic costs with limited environmental gains. The optimal trade-off solution was identified at v = 4.75, yielding a balanced outcome of 3,304.02 million VND in cost, 718 jobs, and 2,811.87 kg of CO? emissions. This research contributes to theory by extending multi-objective optimization in agri-food logistics, provides methodological insights through the use of the augmented ?-constraint approach, and offers practical implications for policymakers and managers in designing sustainable supply chain strategies in the Mekong Delta.
Keywords:

Agricultural logistics;, Supply chain optimization, Logistics network, Multi-objective optimization, Mekong Delta

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@article{oscm-2026-1067,
  title={Optimizing Agricultural Logistics Networks: Evidence from the Mekong Delta, Vietnam},
  year={2026},
  author={Tran Trung Chuyen and Premkumar Rajagopal},
  journal={Operations and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal},
  volume={19},
  number={3},
  pages={467--484},
  doi={10.31387/oscm0660533}
}
Tran Trung Chuyen, Premkumar Rajagopal (2026). Optimizing Agricultural Logistics Networks: Evidence from the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Operations and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 19(3), 467-484. https://doi.org/10.31387/oscm0660533