Digital twins are coming: Will we need them in supply chains of fresh horticultural produce?

Digital twins have advanced fast in various industries, but are just emerging postharvest supply chains. A digital twin is a virtual representation of certain product, such as fresh horticultural produce. This linked to the real-world product by sensors supplying data environmental conditions near target fruit or vegetable. Statistical and data-driven quantify how quality loss produce occurs grasping patterns data. Physics-based provide an augmented insight into underlying physical, biochemical, microbiological physiological processes, enabling explain also why this occurs. We identify what key advantages chain can benefit from them future. has huge potential help tell its history it drifts along throughout life. The reason that each shipment subject unique unpredictable set temperature gas atmosphere farm consumer. resulting, largely uncharted, evolution food quality. particularly comes forward for perishable species at low airflow rates. actionable exporters, retailers, consumers, remaining shelf life shipment, on which logistics decisions marketing strategies be based. diagnose predict problems chains will reduce induce loss. Twins even suggest preventive shipment-tailored measures retail household losses. • highlight differences between physics-based twins. tailor maximize convert sensor retailers consumers. Validation essential guarantee future trust