One-third of food lost post-harvest in Global South, study reveals
A recent study analyzing 324 research papers found that approximately one-third of food produced for human consumption in the Global South is lost or wasted post-harvest. Losses vary by commodity, with roots and tubers experiencing up to 43% loss without interventions. Causes include poor infrastructure, climate variability, and handling practices. Mitigation measures can reduce losses significantly.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1)
Approximately one-third of food produced for human consumption in the Global South is lost or wasted after harvest, according to a comprehensive study analyzing 324 research papers.
The study highlights that post-harvest losses occur throughout the food supply chain, including harvesting, handling, transportation, storage, processing, and marketing. Loss rates vary by food type: without interventions, cereals lose about 27.7%, vegetables 35.1%, fruits 25.8%, and roots and tubers up to 42.9%. With improved practices and technologies, these losses can be reduced to below 12% across these categories.
Key drivers of these losses include inadequate infrastructure such as poor roads and warehouses, lack of cold storage and efficient transport, suboptimal drying and packaging, and climate-related factors like high temperatures, moisture, floods, and droughts.
The research underscores the need for standardized, region- and commodity-specific methods to measure post-harvest losses accurately, enabling governments and stakeholders to target investments and interventions effectively.