# Emerging Perspectives of Blockchains in Food Supply Chain Traceability Based on Patent Analysis
## 4 Discussion
### Further Prospects  
The structure of the analyzed patent portfolio reflects realistic needs for improvements in FSCs, as well as the developmental needs related to the enabling of BC applications to address these needs. The increasing trend in the number of patents related to the application of BCs in FSCs during the recent few years indicates the possibility for increased application of BCs in FSCs. The progress of BC applications in FSCs in the future also depends on the implementation of measures aimed to remove identified barriers for the application of BCs in FSCs. Regulations introducing BCs as a technology to support traceability in FSCs, as well as regulatory arrangements related to this issue, would undoubtedly support the process of introduction of BCs in FSCs. Another direction toward widening of the application of BCs in FSC might be the identification of stakeholders in FSCs motivated to voluntarily adopt the implementation of BCs as a tool for improvement of their market position. Some of the early potential adopters of BC technology in FSCs are depicted in the academic literature, and they can be divided into two groups. The first group represents the producers of added-value food, motivated to improve the traceability of their products by using BCs, since it will enable them to more easily secure confidence in origin or other quality trade which separates their product from other similar products and provides all the necessary data to prove it more easily. This group of producers will benefit from consumers' confidence in the origin and quality of their products. Therefore, this group of users has a relatively high probability of spontaneous implementation of BC solutions. Representative users from this group are producers of organic products [55; 67], halaI food [68; 69], and traditional food [61]. This observation is supported, also, through the fact that almost half of the initiatives and projects registered in the field of BC application in FSCs [70] is targeting food integrity. On the other hand, the main goal for the application of BCs in the second group is to secure food safety and traceability in complex FSCs. Some stakeholders will implement BC technology to prevent or detect fraud and trust issues, as in the case of pork and mango in supermarkets [71], while others will improve traceability to further improve quality. Examples of the latter are dairy production [72; 73; 74], edible oil production and distribution [75], and beef production [76]. The fact that BC technology is attracting the attention of numerous stakeholders is also confirmed through the existence of many projects and initiatives that aim to contribute to the establishment of a trusted environment, are the building of more sustainable, more transparent, and more integrated FSCs. Based on the analysis of projects and initiatives related to BCs in FSCs targeting FSC issues, besides the dominant issue of food integrity (50% of identified initiatives), there were also issues of supervision and management of FSCs (14.5% of identified initiatives), waste reduction and environmental awareness (10%), support of small farmers (16%), food safety (6%), and food security (4%) [71]. To strengthen the further application of BCs in FSCs, it is necessary to clearly emphasize the contribution of this technology to the economic performance of FSC stakeholders and FSCs as a whole. Additional funding of research targeting technical barriers and obstacles, as well as the development of educational and promotional strategies, might also contribute to further growth of BC application in FSCs. Finally, the number of potential users in FSCs is expected to grow over time, as the development of BC technology provides numerous benefits that will become more significant than the mere mandatory effect of its application.