Linear Programming: A Supportive Decision Making Tool in the Food Industry

A linear programming technique (LP) is used in this article for aiding decisions in the food industry that has limited resources. The limited resources make processors to have few options in business operation activities. Because of capital investment, the processor has three options to buy and install only one production line. Through LP analysis subjected to constraints that were given, the processor has to procure and install production line that showed to generate high profit. LP technique is illustrated by comparing profits of tomato juice, tomato ketchup and tomato sauce. Tomato ketchup seems to generate more profit than other products. However, decisions that only based on LP results in food product perspective might not be enough and therefore other factors that influence consumers’ purchase have to be considered.