Impact of high-techs on firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience of fruit and vegetable food systems: A systematic review

CONTEXT: High-tech solutions are potential tools to benefit fruit and vegetable (F&V) food systems' firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience. However, their high energy demand and the complexity of integrating high-tech throughout the food system stages may hinder achieving these benefits. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic literature review on the impact of high-techs on firm-level economic performance and engineering resilience of F&V food systems. METHODS: For the period 2016–2024, following the PRISMA protocol, we identified a total of 52 primary studies, yielding 103 estimated effects. Based on predefined criteria, we included high-tech solutions ranging from artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), sensors, blockchain, robotics, data analytics, drones, model predictive control, to decision support systems. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We found that the indicators only partially reflect high-tech solutions' economic performance such as water use reduction (8–95%), increased productivity (5–29%), and reduced food waste (7–25%). The predictive capabilities of high-tech innovations highlight their potential to strengthen the food system's ability to anticipate and mitigate shocks. In addition, we found consumer impacts remain unexamined, including whether high-tech enhances F&V affordability and accessibility. Finally, we developed a conceptual framework illustrating high-techs potential to integrate all F&V system stages. We recommend undertaking more quantitative impact research at the consumer and system-level to identify the potential of high-tech solutions to transform food systems. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results inform policy debates on fostering the use of high-techs in designing F&V systems, and guide firm-level actors who decide on the adoption of high-techs in F&V systems.