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Approaches to Reduce Food Losses in German Fruit and Vegetable Production

Author

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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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Sabine Ludwig-Ohm & Walter Dirksmeyer & Kathrin Klockgether, 2019. "Approaches to Reduce Food Losses in German Fruit and Vegetable Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-21, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:23:p:6576-:d:289422
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Johnson, Lisa K. & Bloom, J. Dara & Dunning, Rebecca D. & Gunter, Chris C. & Boyette, Michael D. & Creamer, Nancy G., 2019. "Farmer harvest decisions and vegetable loss in primary production," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
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    3. Garming, Hildegard & Dirksmeyer, Walter & Bork, Linda, 2018. "Entwicklungen des Obstbaus in Deutschland von 2005 bis 2017: Obstarten, Anbauregionen, Betriebsstrukturen und Handel," Thünen Working Papers 100, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries.
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    6. Schmidt, Thomas G. & Baumgardt, Sandra & Blumenthal, Antonia & Burdick, Bernhard & Claupein, Erika & Dirksmeyer, Walter & Hafner, Gerold & Klockgether, Kathrin & Koch, Franziska & Leverenz, Dominik & , 2019. "Wege zur Reduzierung von Lebensmittelabfällen - Pathways to reduce food waste (REFOWAS): Maßnahmen, Bewertungsrahmen und Analysewerkzeuge sowie zukunftsfähige Ansätze für einen nachhaltigen Umgang mit," Thünen Reports 73,1, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries.
    7. United Nations UN, 2015. "Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Working Papers id:7559, eSocialSciences.
    8. Schmidt, Thomas & Baumgardt, Sandra & Blumenthal, Antonia & Burdick, Bernhard & Claupein, Erika & Dirksmeyer, Walter & Hafner, Gerold & Klockgether, Kathrin & Koch, Franziska & Leverenz, Dominik & Lör, "undated". "Wege zur Reduzierung von Lebensmittelabfällen - Pathways to reduce food waste (REFOWAS) : Maßnahmen, Bewertungsrahmen und Analysewerkzeuge sowie zukunftsfähige Ansätze für einen nachhaltigen Umgang mi," Thünen Report 294009, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut (vTI), Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries.
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    10. Schmidt, Thomas G. & Baumgardt, Sandra & Blumenthal, Antonia & Burdick, Bernhard & Claupein, Erika & Dirksmeyer, Walter & Hafner, Gerold & Klockgether, Kathrin & Koch, Franziska & Leverenz, Dominik & , 2019. "Wege zur Reduzierung von Lebensmittelabfällen - Pathways to reduce food waste (REFOWAS): Maßnahmen, Bewertungsrahmen und Analysewerkzeuge sowie zukunftsfähige Ansätze für einen nachhaltigen Umgang mit," Thünen Reports 73,2, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries.
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    1. Godwin Seyram Agbemavor Horlu & Ellen Genevieve Thompson, 2024. "Challenges and mitigating measures in local fruits retail in Southern Ghana," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 4(11), pages 1-21, November.
    2. Trebbin, Anika & Herzberg, Ronja & Schneider, Felicitas, "undated". "Lebensmittelverluste bei Obst und Gemüse – die Rolle von Qualitätsanforderungen und Unternehmenspraktiken des Lebensmitteleinzelhandels," Thünen Working Paper 334338, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut (vTI), Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries.
    3. Roengchai Tansuchat & Tanachai Pankasemsuk & Chanita Panmanee & Tanapol Rattanasamakarn & Konnika Palason, 2023. "Analyzing Food Loss in the Fresh Longan Supply Chain: Evidence from Field Survey Measurements," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-31, October.
    4. Kelsey D. Meagher & Anne Gillman & David C. Campbell & Edward S. Spang, 2020. "Relational and Logistical Dimensions of Agricultural Food Recovery: Evidence from California Growers and Recovery Organizations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-18, July.
    5. Trebbin, Anika & Herzberg, Ronja & Schneider, Felicitas, 2023. "Lebensmittelverluste bei Obst und Gemüse - Die Rolle von Qualitätsanforderungen und Unternehmenspraktiken des Lebensmitteleinzelhandels," Thünen Working Papers 202, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries.

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