Approaches to Reduce Food Losses in German Fruit and Vegetable Production

Sabine Ludwig-Ohm, Walter Dirksmeyer and Kathrin Klockgether
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Sabine Ludwig-Ohm: Thünen Institute of Farm Economics, Bundesallee 63, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany
Walter Dirksmeyer: Thünen Institute of Farm Economics, Bundesallee 63, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany
Kathrin Klockgether: Thünen Institute of Farm Economics, Bundesallee 63, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 23, 1-21

Abstract: Food losses occur in all agricultural value chains, but are especially high in the fruit and vegetable sector. This study quantifies losses of selected fruits (strawberries, apples) and vegetables (lettuce, carrots), identifies the main reasons for food losses, and assesses effective measures for the reduction of these losses. Data were collected in structured interviews with value chain actors from production to food retail and validated in regional expert workshops. Results show that in average years, about 25% of the analysed vegetables are lost at farm level. The range of fruit losses differs widely, from 15% to 20% for strawberries and only 6% to 16% for apples. Weather is a major factor for crop losses, since it can strongly affect product appearance and hence marketability in the food retail sector. There is a lack of alternative market channels for products, which do not meet the high-quality standards for fresh products in the retail sector. Effective measures to reduce food losses are protected cultivation in greenhouses or under hail nets, continuous cooling systems, improved packaging and training of staff. More cooperation and coordination between producers, wholesalers and retailers could also increase the share of marketable products.

Keywords: food losses; sustainability; fruits and vegetables; horticulture; Germany (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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