Comercialización De Frutas Y Hortalizas Subóptimas En La Región Sonora–Arizona: Oportunidades, Desafíos Y Perspectivas Del Sector Minorista

Food waste poses a critical challenge for agri-food systems, particularly suboptimal fruits and vegetables, which account for a large part of global losses. It is estimated that in 2022, 1.05 billion tons of food were wasted worldwide, including in the retail, food service, and household sectors (UNEP, 2024). Although few countries have collected consistent and comparable data over time, there has been gradual progress in generating information. The availability of reliable data is essential for designing and implementing effective measures aimed at reducing food waste and advancing the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goal 12.3. Likewise, reducing food waste represents an opportunity to strengthen food security, lower costs, and contribute to climate change mitigation. The study examines the perceptions and commercial strategies adopted by retail establishments in the Sonora-Arizona region regarding suboptimal food, using semi-structured interviews and discourse analysis as a data collection technique. Among the findings, it was identified that suboptimal foods, known as “second quality,” represent between 60% and 90% of the daily supply. The predominant strategies for managing these foods include processing, applying discounts, and donating them. Likewise, greater operational flexibility was identified in Sonora, in contrast to stricter regulatory formalization in Arizona. On the consumer side, despite a persistent preference for products considered aesthetically optimal, there is an emerging positive response to suboptimal foods when offered at reduced prices. Finally, innovative commercial strategies are proposed aimed at enhancing the value and efficient use of this market segment.