Citation: Malisic, B.; Misic, N.;
Krco, S.; Martinovic, A.; Tinaj, S.;
Popovic, T. Blockchain Adoption in
the Wine Supply Chain: A Systematic
Literature Review. Sustainability 2023,
15, 14408. https://doi.org/
10.3390/su151914408
Academic Editors: Jianghang Chen,
Jie Chu, Jianxin Fang and Yiping
Jiang
Received: 26 May 2023
Revised: 12 September 2023
Accepted: 13 September 2023
Published: 30 September 2023
Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).
sustainability
Systematic Review
Blockchain Adoption in the Wine Supply Chain:
A Systematic Literature Review
Bojana Malisic
1
, Nemanja Misic
2
, Srdjan Krco
2
, Aleksandra Martinovic
3
, Sandra Tinaj
1
and Tomo Popovic
4,
*
1
Faculty of International Economics, Finance and Business, University of Donja Gorica, Oktoih 1,
81000 Podgorica, Montenegro; bojana.malisic@udg.edu.me (B.M.); sandra.tinaj@udg.edu.me (S.T.)
2
DunavNET, Bul. Oslobodjenja 133/2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; nemanja.misic@dunavnet.eu (N.M.);
srdjan.krco@dunavnet.eu (S.K.)
3
Faculty for Food Technology, Food Safety and Ecology, University of Donja Gorica, Oktoih 1,
81000 Podgorica, Montenegro; aleksandra.martinovic@udg.edu.me
4
Faculty for Information Systems and Technologies, University of Donja Gorica, Oktoih 1,
81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
* Correspondence: tomo.popovic@udg.edu.me
Abstract: Blockchain offers decentralized, trustworthy and immutable data storage based on dis-
tributed ledger technology. Blockchain technology is recognized as an innovation enabler in many
areas, with the food supply chain being one of them. This paper provides a systematic literature
review of the current state of adoption of blockchain technology in the agri-food sector, specifically
with a focus on the wine supply chain. Blockchain has the potential to improve the traceability and
authenticity of the data provenance of wine products, increase consumer trust, and reduce fraud and
errors. With these goals in mind, this study identifies the main research questions pertinent to the
value proposition and competitive advantage of blockchain technology in the wine value chain and
key players involved in the authentication and value chain recording. The PRISMA methodology
was adopted to identify, screen and select only the relevant studies that were included in the analysis.
This study also addresses the limitations and challenges for adoption, such as high implementation
cost and lack of competences, and the need for standardized protocols and regulations. Finally,
this systematic literature review includes an analysis of reports of blockchain applications in the
wine sector and outlines the recommendations for future research to further explore the potential of
blockchain-based solutions that could benefit all stakeholders across the wine value chain.
Keywords: blockchain; data provenance; food sustainability; systematic literature review; traceability;
wine supply chain
1. Introduction
Establishing food traceability and increasing trust in the food supply chain are fully
in line with the sustainability goals recognized throughout the world. The wine supply
chain is no exception. The wine industry has grown enormously in the last few decades
due to a new generation of educated consumers emerging around the world. Furthermore,
according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the world production
of wine in 2022 is estimated to be 260 million hectoliters (Mhl) [1]. This is an increase of
1%, almost 3 Mhl, from 2019. As the market has grown and more consumers are interested
in buying expensive wine, the presence of wine counterfeits in the market has increased,
resulting in damaged brands for winemakers and negative experiences and health risks
for consumers.
Vineyards, distributors, and retailers have no means to certify the origin or supply
chain information related to their products. The current food supply chain system is
complex and involves multiple stakeholders across different countries; this explains the
Sustainability 2023, 15, 14408. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914408 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability