Identifying and Assessing Supply Chain Risks in Food and Beverage Companies in Bangladesh.

Abstract

The food and beverage industry in Bangladesh, a critically vital sector for the national economy, was subjected to a comprehensive examination aimed at addressing its inherent and persistent supply chain risks. This study focused on meticulously identifying and analyzing key vulnerabilities that specifically afflict this dynamic industry, encompassing prevalent climatic disruptions, persistent logistical inefficiencies, and pervasive economic instabilities. The research specifically aimed to understand how these multifaceted risks directly translate into operational challenges for businesses within this sector. To achieve a holistic understanding, a robust mixed-method approach was diligently employed, integrating qualitative insights derived from in-depth content and thematic analysis of secondary data, with quantitative analyses obtained from statistical examinations of relevant economic indicators and industry reports. Data was meticulously gathered from a diverse and credible range of sources, including authoritative industry professionals, comprehensive governmental reports, alongside existing academic literature and scholarly articles. This rigorous methodology ensured a comprehensive evaluation of the sector's multifaceted supply chain challenges, allowing for a nuanced exploration of both the qualitative impact and quantitative trends of the identified risks. The detailed findings consistently highlighted climatic events as the most severe and pervasive risk, frequently leading to widespread raw material shortages, significant production halts, and severe disruptions in agricultural output. This paramount risk was closely followed by prevalent infrastructural deficits, particularly in transportation networks and storage facilities, that consistently hinder timely distribution and in crease logistical costs, and persistent financial volatility which collectively disrupted broader supply chain stability and substantially increased operational expenditures for businesses. Encouragingly, companies that proactively adopted various strategic mitigation measures, such as diversifying their sourcing channels and implementing robust inventory buffering techniques, consistently demonstrated higher resilience and more effectively maintained operational continuity. The study ultimately concluded that a concerted effort towards strengthening critical infrastructure, enhancing supportive policy frameworks, and rigorously adopting data-driven risk management strategies are unequivocally essential to safeguarding the sector’s supply chains, ensuring long-term stability, and upholding food security across Bangladesh. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers, businesses, and researchers to foster a more resilient and sustainable food supply chain.