Published

2026-03-12

Inventory Optimization in the Food Industry: A Review of LIFO, FIFO, and Emerging Technologies

Optimización de inventarios en la industria alimentaria: revisión sobre estrategias LIFO, FIFO y tecnologías emergentes

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15446/ing.investig.119223

Keywords:

automation, efficiency, stock loss, storage, supply chain (en)
almacenamiento, automatización, eficiencia, cadena de suministro, pérdida de stock (es)

Authors

Effective inventory management is essential in the food industry due to high demand and the perishable nature of its products. Proper management not only affects daily operations but also plays a crucial role in a company's overall success. This study aims to identify and analyze strategies for improving inventory management by integrating traditional methods with modern technologies. To achieve this, a systematic review of studies published between 2020 and 2024 was conducted using databases such as ScienceDirect and Scopus. 38 relevant articles were selected for analysis based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings reveal that adopting advanced technologies, such as automation, artificial intelligence-based management systems, and the Internet of Things (IoT), can greatly improve operational efficiency and reduce inventory losses. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of strategies like LIFO (Last In, First Out) and FIFO (First In, First Out) for the effective management of perishable items. In conclusion, integrating traditional strategies with technological innovations offers a comprehensive approach to enhancing inventory management within the food sector. This research offers valuable insights for researchers and industry professionals aiming to increase operational efficiency and gain a competitive advantage in the market.

La gestión de inventarios en la industria alimentaria es fundamental debido a la alta demanda y la naturaleza perecedera de los productos. Una gestión eficiente no solo tiene un impacto en la operatividad diaria, sino que también puede marcar la diferencia en el éxito de una empresa. En este contexto, este estudio busca identificar y analizar estrategias efectivas para mejorar la gestión de inventarios mediante la integración de métodos tradicionales con tecnologías emergentes. Para ello, se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática de estudios publicados entre 2020 y 2024 en bases de datos como ScienceDirect y Scopus. A partir de criterios de inclusión y exclusión previamente definidos, se seleccionaron 38 artículos relevantes para el análisis. Los resultados muestran que el uso de tecnologías avanzadas, como la automatización, los sistemas de gestión basados en inteligencia artificial y el internet de las cosas (IoT), puede mejorar significativamente la eficiencia operativa y reducir las pérdidas de inventario. Asimismo, se resalta la importancia de aplicar estrategias como LIFO (Last In, First Out) y FIFO (First In, First Out) para garantizar una mejor administración de los productos perecederos. En conclusión, la integración de estrategias tradicionales con innovaciones tecnológicas ofrece un enfoque integral para optimizar la gestión de inventarios en la industria alimentaria. Por lo cual este estudio proporciona herramientas valiosas tanto para investigadores como para profesionales del sector interesados en mejorar la eficiencia operativa y fortalecer la competitividad en el mercado.

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How to Cite

APA

Condori, P., Rengifo-Reategui, I. & Algoner, W. C. (2026). Inventory Optimization in the Food Industry: A Review of LIFO, FIFO, and Emerging Technologies. Ingeniería e Investigación, 46(1), e119223. https://doi.org/10.15446/ing.investig.119223

ACM

[1]
Condori, P., Rengifo-Reategui, I. and Algoner, W.C. 2026. Inventory Optimization in the Food Industry: A Review of LIFO, FIFO, and Emerging Technologies. Ingeniería e Investigación. 46, 1 (Mar. 2026), e119223. DOI:https://doi.org/10.15446/ing.investig.119223.

ACS

(1)
Condori, P.; Rengifo-Reategui, I.; Algoner, W. C. Inventory Optimization in the Food Industry: A Review of LIFO, FIFO, and Emerging Technologies. Ing. Inv. 2026, 46, e119223.

ABNT

CONDORI, P.; RENGIFO-REATEGUI, I.; ALGONER, W. C. Inventory Optimization in the Food Industry: A Review of LIFO, FIFO, and Emerging Technologies. Ingeniería e Investigación, [S. l.], v. 46, n. 1, p. e119223, 2026. DOI: 10.15446/ing.investig.119223. Disponível em: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/ingeinv/article/view/119223. Acesso em: 13 may. 2026.

Chicago

Condori, Paul, Iveth Rengifo-Reategui, and William C. Algoner. 2026. “Inventory Optimization in the Food Industry: A Review of LIFO, FIFO, and Emerging Technologies”. Ingeniería E Investigación 46 (1):e119223. https://doi.org/10.15446/ing.investig.119223.

Harvard

Condori, P., Rengifo-Reategui, I. and Algoner, W. C. (2026) “Inventory Optimization in the Food Industry: A Review of LIFO, FIFO, and Emerging Technologies”, Ingeniería e Investigación, 46(1), p. e119223. doi: 10.15446/ing.investig.119223.

IEEE

[1]
P. Condori, I. Rengifo-Reategui, and W. C. Algoner, “Inventory Optimization in the Food Industry: A Review of LIFO, FIFO, and Emerging Technologies”, Ing. Inv., vol. 46, no. 1, p. e119223, Mar. 2026.

MLA

Condori, P., I. Rengifo-Reategui, and W. C. Algoner. “Inventory Optimization in the Food Industry: A Review of LIFO, FIFO, and Emerging Technologies”. Ingeniería e Investigación, vol. 46, no. 1, Mar. 2026, p. e119223, doi:10.15446/ing.investig.119223.

Turabian

Condori, Paul, Iveth Rengifo-Reategui, and William C. Algoner. “Inventory Optimization in the Food Industry: A Review of LIFO, FIFO, and Emerging Technologies”. Ingeniería e Investigación 46, no. 1 (March 16, 2026): e119223. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/ingeinv/article/view/119223.

Vancouver

1.
Condori P, Rengifo-Reategui I, Algoner WC. Inventory Optimization in the Food Industry: A Review of LIFO, FIFO, and Emerging Technologies. Ing. Inv. [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 16 [cited 2026 May 13];46(1):e119223. Available from: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/ingeinv/article/view/119223

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