Exploring the Effect of Climate Change on Food Supply Chains in Africa: A Systematic Review with a Focus on South Africa

Merishca Naicker^1*Denver Naidoo¹Mjabuliseni Simon C Ngidi^1,2*Rob Slotow³

• ¹School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Science, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
• ²University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
• ³School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The food supply chain is a complex system involving multiple stakeholders, from production to consumption, and is shaped by factors such as trade policies, logistics, and environmental change.Climate change poses a major threat to this system, particularly for smallholder farmers who depend on rain-fed agriculture, have limited market access, and lack technical resources, making them especially vulnerable. Addressing these challenges requires proactive adaptation and collaborative action across all levels to build resilient and sustainable food systems.This study conducted a systematic literature review using Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar to assess the impact of climate change on smallholder farmers' food supply chains in relation toabout livelihoods, food security, resilience, and adaptation strategies. A total of 20,889 articles published between 1993 and 2023 were initially identified using relevant keywords. Following title, abstract, and full-text screening, 143 peer-reviewed articles were included. Quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs InstituteInventory (JBI), and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Rreviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to ensure rigour. NVivo 12 software facilitated thematic analysis of key topics, including production, food safety, distribution, and adaptation.Findings indicate that climate change significantly disrupts agricultural processes, affecting crop yield, quality, and market availability, while increasing food prices and insecurity. Adaptation strategies, such as changes in farming and water practices, and mitigation efforts like reforestation and greenhouse gas reduction, are essential. These strategies vary by region and depend on climate conditions and land tenure.In conclusion, climate change continues to undermine food systems, necessitating the promotion of Climate-Smart Agriculture, access to financial services and climate information, and integration of climate, agriculture, and trade policies. Targeted policies and collaborative efforts are vital for supporting smallholder farmers and ensuring resilient food supply chains in vulnerable regions like South Africa.Climate change signifies widespread alterations in temperature and atmospheric conditions, which significantly impact agricultural production and the global food supply chain (Burnham & Ma, 2016;