Resumen

ORTIZ MARTINEZ, María del Pilar  y  MARTINEZ SALVADOR, Laura Elena. Are short agri-food chains environmentally sustainable? Reflections on the case of amaranth in Mexico City. Siembra [online]. 2026, vol.13, n.1, e8454. ISSN 2477-8850.  https://doi.org/10.29166/siembra.v13i1.8454.

Short agri-food supply chains [SASC] have been presented as an environmentally sustainable alternative to the traditional food production, processing, and commercialization models due to their minimal intermediation and shortened supply chains. This structure can theoretically reduce greenhouse gas emissions [GHG] and mitigate the negative environmental impacts of agri-food activities. This is particularly relevant in urban settings such as Mexico City [CDMX], where much of the food demand is concentrated and often relies on peri-urban production. In CDMX, amaranth is considered an identity-defining food of the capital’s peri-urban region. It has significant nutritional value and agri-food potential, it preserves pre-Hispanic roots, and is cultivated within the city’s agricultural spaces. Through life cycle analysis, it was identified that while the proximity of peri-urban production and commercialization spaces may reduce GHG emissions, the processing stage presents the greatest CO2 emissions and requires more sustainable and innovative popping techniques. These techniques should allow for better fuel efficiency or the incorporation of renewable energy methods. Otherwise, the potential benefits of SASC may be outweighed by the negative effects of GHG emissions.

Palabras clave : amaranth; greenhouse gases; peri-urban; short agrifood chain; sustainability.

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