The entire process of a product from inception to completion is called the supply chain. There are many stages and steps involved in producing the final product that falls under the term supply chain.
A typical supply chain may begin with agricultural produce being harvested on a farm. It is then transported to a storage warehouse in the country of origin before being shipped to an overseas food processing facility, which turns it into a consumable product that is shipped to a retailer. In this process, each stage, including transportation, is a link in the supply chain.
Farmers, manufacturers, freight companies, distributors, and retailers are the links in this supply chain. The supply chain can be regional, national, or international. Effective supply chain management is vital to businesses.
