Blockchain-enabled solutions for enhancing supply chain transparency and traceability

Global supply chains suffer from fragmented data silos, limited transparency, and vulnerability to fraud/counterfeiting. Traditional centralized systems fail to provide real-time, immutable traceability, leading to inefficiencies in recalls, compliance, and stakeholder trust. We propose blockchain-based architecture leveraging distributed ledger technology (DLT) and smart contracts to create an end-to-end transparent, tamper-proof traceability system. This work designs and validates an enterprise-ready blockchain framework (Hyperledger Fabric) integrated with IoT sensors, uniquely addressing scalability and interoperability gaps in prior solutions. It quantifies performance-security trade-offs and stakeholder adoption barriers. A modular architecture was implemented, combining RFID/GPS sensors for data acquisition, PBFT consensus, and automated smart contracts. A real-world agri-food supply chain case study (organic coffee) evaluated performance, security, and usability across 5 stakeholder tiers. The system achieved 350 TPS throughput with <2-second latency, reducing paperwork by 85% and dispute resolution time by 30%. Security audits confirmed zero tampering incidents. Stakeholder surveys (N=42) showed 89% trust improvement but highlighted cost (72%) and technical literacy (58%) as adoption hurdles. Comparative analysis demonstrated 40% lower operational redundancy versus hybrid systems. Blockchain significantly enhances supply chain transparency and traceability with measurable efficiency gains. Future work will integrate AI-driven predictive analytics and cross-chain protocols.