@esalq.usp.br
Professor at Department of Economics, Administration and Sociology
University of São Paulo
Decision Sciences, Management Science and Operations Research, Transportation, Management of Technology and Innovation
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
José Eduardo Holler Branco, Fernando Vinícius da Rocha, Thiago Guilherme Péra, Fernando Pauli de Bastiani, Daniela Bacchi Bartholomeu, Everton Lima Costa, and Isaias Grilo Junior
Elsevier BV
Fernando Pauli de Bastiani, Thiago Guilherme Péra, and José Vicente Caixeta-Filho
MDPI AG
Background: Brazil is one of the largest consumers of fertilizers and is highly dependent on the international market to meet its demand for agricultural production inputs. The complexity of the fertilizer supply chain motivated us to carry out this study on redesigning the fertilizer logistics chain and evaluate strategies for reducing logistics costs by redesigning the fertilizer mixing network in Brazil, a country that is heavily dependent on imported fertilizers for agriculture. Methods: We introduce a multi-product mixed-integer linear programming optimization model encompassing the logistics network, from import ports to mixing factories and agricultural fertilizer supply centers. This model includes logistics infrastructure and taxes, accounting for greenhouse gas emissions (specifically carbon dioxide) in fertilizer logistics. Results: The results indicate that expanding the port capacity for fertilizer importation can significantly reduce logistics costs and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 22.5%, decreasing by 23.9% compared to the baseline. We also observed that removing taxes on fertilizer importation can reduce logistics costs by approximately 11%, but it increases greenhouse gas emissions by 2.25% due to increased reliance on road transport. We identified 15 highly resilient regions for establishing mixing factories, evaluated various scenarios and determined the importance of these locations in optimizing the fertilizer supply network in the country. Moreover, the results suggest a significant potential to enhance the role of Brazil’s Northern Arc region in fertilizer import flows. Conclusions: Public policies and private initiatives could be directed toward encouraging the establishment of mixing factories in the identified regions and increasing transport capacity in the Northern Arc region. Improving the logistical conditions of the fertilizer network would contribute to food security by reducing the costs of essential inputs in food production and promoting sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Thiago Guilherme Péra, Fernando Vinícius da Rocha, and José Vicente Caixeta Filho
MDPI AG
Reducing food losses presents an opportunity to enhance food security, minimize waste, and improve profitability within the production sector. Creating awareness among various stakeholders in the value chain about the significance of reducing postharvest losses is a fundamental step in this discussion. This article addresses the Postharvest Loss Information System (SIPPOC) development and applicability. SIPPOC encompasses tools designed to facilitate understanding food loss occurrences across different supply chain segments. The article provides insights into the tools incorporated within the information system and describes its historical background and protocol for database updates. In essence, SIPPOC enables the analysis of food loss throughout diverse logistical stages, thereby aiding in identifying critical points and implementing targeted actions for loss reduction. Drawing on SIPPOC data, the article further examines losses within the logistics chain by comparing potato, tomato, and mango agricultural productions.
Isotilia Costa Melo, Paulo Nocera Alves Junior, Thiago Guilherme Péra, Daisy Aparecida Do Nascimento Rebelatto, and José Vicente Caixeta-Filho
Springer International Publishing
Thiago Guilherme Péra, Daniela Bacchi Bartholomeu, Connie Tenin Su, and José Vicente Caixeta Filho
Springer International Publishing
Isotilia Costa Melo, Thiago Guilherme Péra, Paulo Nocera Alves Júnior, Daisy Aparecida do Nascimento Rebelatto, and José Vicente Caixeta-Filho
Elsevier BV
William Eduardo Bendinelli, Connie Tenin Su, Thiago Guilherme Péra, and José Vicente Caixeta Filho
Elsevier BV
Thiago Guilherme Péra, Daniela Bacchi Bartholomeu, Connie Tenin Su, and José Vicente Caixeta Filho
Associacao Brasileira de Engenharia de Producao - ABEPRO
Goal: To evaluate the potential of strategies to promote green corridors of soybean exports from Brazil to China.
 Design / Methodology / Approach: The best transportation corridors are evaluated in terms of minimum transportation cost and minimum CO2 emissions in transport. This problem was modelled as a linear programming problem and was solved by GAMS. It involves transporting soybeans from the producing farms in the Brazilian Center-West to the main Brazilian export ports and, subsequently, to China, through the various logistical infrastructures available.
 Results: In general, strategies aimed to reduce CO2 emissions in the Brazilian soybean exports to China, and also promote the reduction of transport costs, as presented in the results of the different scenarios. Since the greatest impact on both indicators came from the use of Capesize ships, the study suggests that investments in port infrastructure to increase its vessel berthing capacity generate positive impacts, both in terms of lower transportation costs and CO2 emissions.
 Limitations of the investigation: The producing regions were divided in mesoregions. The road distance considered is between the centroid of the producing region to the destination.
 Practical implications: Especially in the scenarios of unrestricted transport infrastructure, the study suggests the configuration of optimum soybean flows, as well as the respective level of utilization of multimodal terminals. From the findings of the study, agents involved in the logistics of exporting soy to China can identify the investments in rail and port terminals necessary to a greener logistics.
 Originality / Value: This work will contribute to the literature in the Green Supply Chain Management field of study, especially in a Brazilian perspective.