The Agricultural Logistics Networks: Bibliometric Evidence on Knowledge Structure and Thematic Evolution

Abstract

This study presents a quantitative overview of agricultural logistics, a sector that is vital to global food security yet constrained by fragmentation and the perishable nature of commodities. Drawing on a bibliometric analysis of 316 publications indexed in Scopus from 1989 to 2025 and processed with VOSviewer, the study maps the knowledge structure, identifies leading stakeholders, and traces emerging trends. The results indicate a sharp increase in scholarly output after 2019, signaling rising interest in efficiency optimization, sustainability, and the resilience of agri-food supply chains. China and the United States lead in research volume and collaboration networks. The analysis reveals six principal thematic clusters: infrastructure and system optimization; digitalization and the cold chain; sustainable logistics and biomass valorization; risk governance and the extended supply chain; cost efficiency and waste management; and warehouse automation. While foundational keywords such as “agricultural products” and “logistics” remain prevalent, emerging topics including cold chain logistics, big data, and electronic commerce exhibit increasing citation impact. The study provides a comprehensive landscape that enables scholars to pinpoint knowledge gaps for future inquiry and offers strategic implications for firms and policy makers.