Global agri-food export supply chains operating under stringent regulatory regimes face increasing operational and compliance risks that directly affect market continuity. From an Industrial Engineering and Operations Management perspective, this paper examines how the integration of operational, quality, and regulatory risk controls supports export sustainability in highly regulated markets. Using empirical survey data from stakeholders in the Western Cape Province, South Africa within the  citrus export supply chain, the study evaluates current risk integration practices and their perceived impact on compliance performance and operational stability. Descriptive statistical analysis indicates that organisations adopting system-integrated risk management—rather than fragmented compliance approaches—demonstrate stronger resilience against regulatory disruptions and improved preparedness for evolving export requirements. The findings contribute to IEOM scholarship by positioning integrated risk management as a core operational capability for sustainable participation in global value chains.

Keywords

Integrated Risk Management, Export Sustainability, Operations Management, Regulatory Compliance, Agri-Food Supply Chains