## 3 Results and Discussion
### Changes in Experts' Perceptions about Blockchain from 2020 to 2022
Furthermore, it promises to establish the automation of production processes, configure greater transparency, providing agribusiness sectors with greater business opportunities with new international markets. In the same direction, information symmetry and product differentiation were the second and third opportunities with the most significant variation in perceived importance. Data collection, processing and storage, and the creation of new blockchain-based business models ranked as the top challenges for the technology (Figure 3A). They were the second and third items with the most significant change in perspective (11%, from 3.7 to 4.1). Meanwhile, the leading absolute change in perspective was related to the lack of a dominant or winning platform, with a 17% increase (2.3 to 2.7). Additionally, breaking old paradigms is also considered important for technology development and use. Finally, the possibility of eliminating intermediaries in business and the quality of the information entered into the systems are challenges that have remained stable during the period. The experts pointed out that supply chain actors must restructure how they record information. At a later stage, current business models may be replaced, and information recording may become a major challenge. Sharing sensitive information requires the collaboration of many players, and some intermediaries may be hampered by technology. Influential intermediaries may hinder technology adoption or try to monopolize information to preserve their position, maintain profitability, and sustain their competitive advantage. In the future, the way of doing business will change, and some players may no longer be needed, as some interviewees reported. On the other hand, the current supply chain cycle is considered long and inefficient, leading to the continuous deterioration of product quality and food safety [36; 37]. From addressing this weakness arise many opportunities for digitizing information with reduced costs and significant improvement in input and food flows. Among several opportunities, the potential application of blockchain is associated with the ability to keep reliable records available and auditable to all stakeholders, including end consumers. Furthermore, proper blockchain design makes it impossible to alter recorded data without the consent of all involved. Therefore, blockchain can dramatically reduce transaction costs, as insecurity is almost wholly removed. Blockchain technology also makes supply chains more transparent and more efficient information flow between links. Future scenarios indicate that blockchain solutions are expected to be widely adopted and supply chains computerized to meet the aspirations of Industry 4.0. Respons from the interviewees indicate that in 2020 blockchain technology was still in its early stages of development and its impact on the economy is not yet noticeable. However, it is believed that advances in the development of technology will change the way economic agents relate to each other, transforming the flow and exchange of information and contracts both domestically and globally and transforming the economy as a whole [38]. Our findings in the present study already signal that advances have occurred in this brief, almost three-year period. Blockchain will be like a decentralized database. Everyone involved in the supply chain will be responsible for feeding, storing, and maintaining real-time information to allow transactions to be made and completed simultaneously [39]. The decentralized nature of the technology elevates the importance of the network concept, and the potential benefits of the technology increase as the size of the network expands [26]. In this context, business models need to rebuild existing systems, popularize the technology, and train personnel to adapt to the new management process [22; 40]. Furthermore, interviewees perceive that the novelty of blockchain technology may impact the trust of the parties involved in a smart contract.