The Problem of Food Wastage
Worldwide, countries are realising that as our population increases (from 7.8 billion in 2018 to an anticipated 9.8 billion by 2050), we will need to produce more food, but in a way that uses fewer resources and in a manner that is climate positive and carbon negative.
Obviously, new technology will have a vital role to play, but the fact is that one-third of all the food we produce is wasted.
This represents the greatest challenge facing the global food distribution system and this also provides the greatest opportunities for improvements in the global food industry:
“Waste and food losses claim a significant proportion of agricultural output, and reducing them would reduce the need for increases in production”
Waste occurs at all points in the food value chain and for every product.
This image illustrates the waste per type of product:
In Western economies wastage in the home by consumers is as much as 30% of the total, compared to 9% in India. However, reflecting food distribution system inadequacies closer to the point of farm production, 60% of wastage in India and other emerging economies in Asia and Africa occurs on-farm and post-harvest close to the farm.
Main Reasons for food Wastage at Every Stage of Production
Production:- Poor harvesting practices, Limited access to Technology and inputs, Lack of Farm infrastructure. These account for more than 30% of food wastage)
Post-Harvest:- Poor practices in on-farm storage and handling, distress sales due to temporary glut in local markets and lack o linkages to alternatives nearby. Accounting for up to 29% of food loss and waste.
Processing and Packaging:- Insufficient local processing value addition capacity accounting for up to 11%
Distribution and Marketing:- Limited Transport network for perishable produce and Multiple middlemen, agents and traders. These actors also contribute to 20% of food loss.
Consumption:- Slower anticipated growth in processed food requirement/organised retail, and limited linkage to export market, accounting for 9% o total food loss and waste
In lower-income countries where an excessively high proportion of consumers may be undernourished, waste is significantly associated with food insecurity. In Western economies (where over- nourishment is an issue much more than under-nourishment), food waste has become a significant concern of consumers and all members of the supply chain not because of its negative impact on the environment.
Globally, however, consumers are increasingly outraged by the magnitude of food waste and look to food distribution system agents to remedy the waste issue.
The problem of food wastage is only reduced when all agents in the food distribution system ; producers, transformers, distributors and warehouse owners, consumers and especially public institutions- These can be local, regional, national, and international, but among other things, they ensure that food distribution system supplies safe food to the populace. Public institutions as the providers of basic infrastructures required for the food distribution systems to work (roads, ports, wholesale and retail markets, public storage facilities, etc.) agree to structure the system in such a away that sustainability and food security are achieved.
Universities and R&D institutions also have an important role, in conducting research to improve structured operations of food distribution systems.
There is also the wide range of businesses providing goods and services to agents within the food distribution systems, such as food machinery manufacturers, those providing finance and information services, packaging, and waste disposal
The agents in the supply chain have traditionally focused on the production, efficiency, reducing costs, etc., but one of the most important elements of success is to focus on reducing food insecurity and creating systems that mitigate food wastage at the different stages of the food production system . This could mean new innovations from entrepreneurs in partnership with all agents in the food distribution system.
