Digital infrastructure and local food supply diversity: evidence from 257 Chinese prefecture-level cities
- 1College of Humanities and Social Development, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- 2Faculty of International Relations, Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus
Abstract
IntroductionAs food system governance increasingly emphasizes supply diversity, nutrition sensitivity, and sustainability, understanding the role of digital infrastructure in diversifying local food supplies has become important. This study examines whether digital infrastructure is associated with greater diversity across nutritionally relevant food categories in China.MethodsWe construct a Nutritional Food Supply Diversity (NFSD) index and analyze panel data from 257 Chinese prefecture-level cities over 2011 -2023. The analysis examines the association between digital infrastructure and NFSD, potential mechanisms, and heterogeneity across regional development levels, agricultural resource endowments, and urbanization levels. We also address potential endogeneity and conduct robustness checks.ResultsDigital infrastructure development is significantly and positively associated with NFSD. A one-standard-deviation increase in the digital infrastructure index is associated with an average increase of approximately 0.0664 index points in NFSD. This association remains robust after addressing potential endogeneity and conducting robustness checks. Mechanism analyses suggest three potential pathways: encouraging the entry of relevant businesses and service providers, thereby expanding producers’ channels of market participation; improving the matching of digital agricultural services; and strengthening feedback on food demand. The association varies with regional development, agricultural resource endowments, and urbanization.DiscussionThe findings suggest that assessments of the food system effects of digital infrastructure should consider both food quantities and the diversity of local supplies across nutritionally relevant categories. These effects appear to depend on the physical agricultural base, market conditions, and stages of urban development. This study provides an empirical framework for coordinating digital infrastructure development, adjustments to agricultural production structures, and policies promoting the diversity of the local food-supply base.
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BibTeX
@article{li2026digital,
title = {{Digital infrastructure and local food supply diversity: evidence from 257 Chinese prefecture-level cities}},
author = {Chunyan Li and Chongtao Chen},
journal = {Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fsufs.2026.1987334},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2026.1987334},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Digital infrastructure and local food supply diversity: evidence from 257 Chinese prefecture-level cities
AU - Chunyan Li
AU - Chongtao Chen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/25
JO - Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
DO - 10.3389/fsufs.2026.1987334
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2026.1987334
AB - IntroductionAs food system governance increasingly emphasizes supply diversity, nutrition sensitivity, and sustainability, understanding the role of digital infrastructure in diversifying local food supplies has become important. This study examines whether digital infrastructure is associated with greater diversity across nutritionally relevant food categories in China.MethodsWe construct a Nutritional Food Supply Diversity (NFSD) index and analyze panel data from 257 Chinese prefecture-level cities over 2011 -2023. The analysis examines the association between digital infrastructure and NFSD, potential mechanisms, and heterogeneity across regional development levels, agricultural resource endowments, and urbanization levels. We also address potential endogeneity and conduct robustness checks.ResultsDigital infrastructure development is significantly and positively associated with NFSD. A one-standard-deviation increase in the digital infrastructure index is associated with an average increase of approximately 0.0664 index points in NFSD. This association remains robust after addressing potential endogeneity and conducting robustness checks. Mechanism analyses suggest three potential pathways: encouraging the entry of relevant businesses and service providers, thereby expanding producers’ channels of market participation; improving the matching of digital agricultural services; and strengthening feedback on food demand. The association varies with regional development, agricultural resource endowments, and urbanization.DiscussionThe findings suggest that assessments of the food system effects of digital infrastructure should consider both food quantities and the diversity of local supplies across nutritionally relevant categories. These effects appear to depend on the physical agricultural base, market conditions, and stages of urban development. This study provides an empirical framework for coordinating digital infrastructure development, adjustments to agricultural production structures, and policies promoting the diversity of the local food-supply base.
SN - 2571-581X
ER -