Research on the Optimization of the Cold Chain Logistics Network for Tropical Fresh Agricultural Products in Hainan

Abstract

As a key production region of tropical fresh agricultural products in China, Hainan’s output is characterized by off-season availability and high perishability, which creates a strong dependence on export-oriented cold chain logistics. However, the existing logistics network suffers from issues such as a loosely organized topology, insufficient functional coordination among nodes, and inadequate temperature-control precision, resulting in both high loss rates and low efficiency throughout the circulation process. This study aims to systematically optimize this cold chain logistics network. First, it analyzes the production-marketing structure of Hainan’s tropical agricultural products, which features “decentralized production origins and distant sales destinations,” the quality deterioration patterns based on post-harvest physiology, and the topological characteristics of the current network described as “multi-point decentralization and weak backbone connectivity,” thereby clarifying the starting point and constraints for optimization. Second, a multi-objective collaborative optimization model integrating timeliness, loss control, and facility capacity allocation is constructed, and a mechanism to enhance the network’s resilience is proposed. Finally, an implementation plan centered on multi-level hub coordination, whole-process temperature-control chain, and deep integration of information chains is put forward, along with supporting strategies for performance evaluation and dynamic adjustment. This research provides a systematic theoretical framework and implementation pathway for building an efficient, low-loss, and resilient cold chain logistics network for tropical agricultural products in Hainan.