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On the origins of food loss

Author

Listed:
  • Luciana Delgado
  • Monica Schuster
  • Maximo Torero

Abstract

In this paper, we try to understand what the main causes of food losses (FLs) are. Our results show that producers' education and experience and the number of years in which a producer has been involved in the production of a specific crop are significantly correlated with reduction in FL. Unfavorable climatic conditions, pests, and diseases, as well as limited knowledge and access to equipment, credit, and markets, are also challenges to increasing production of higher quality and therefore reasons for FL. Policies to reduce and prevent FL need to be targeted to specific commodities and contexts. JEL CLASSIFICATION Q13; Q18; Q58

Suggested Citation

  • Luciana Delgado & Monica Schuster & Maximo Torero, 2021. "On the origins of food loss," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(2), pages 750-780, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:apecpp:v:43:y:2021:i:2:p:750-780
    DOI: 10.1002/aepp.13156
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ngowi, Elizabeth R. & Selejio, Onesmo, 2019. "Post-harvest Loss and Adoption of Improved Post-harvest Storage Technologies by Smallholder Maize Farmers in Tanzania," African Journal of Economic Review, African Journal of Economic Review, vol. 7(01), January.
    2. Papke, Leslie E. & Wooldridge, Jeffrey M., 2008. "Panel data methods for fractional response variables with an application to test pass rates," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 145(1-2), pages 121-133, July.
    3. Schuster, Monica & Delgado, Luciana & Torero, Maximo, "undated". "The Reality of Food Losses: A New Measurement Methodology," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 273859, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    4. Enoch Mutebi Kikulwe & Stanslus Okurut & Susan Ajambo & Kephas Nowakunda & Dietmar Stoian & Diego Naziri, 2018. "Postharvest Losses and their Determinants: A Challenge to Creating a Sustainable Cooking Banana Value Chain in Uganda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-19, July.
    5. Apurba Shee & Sarah Mayanja & Eria Simba & Tanya Stathers & Aurelie Bechoff & Ben Bennett, 2019. "Determinants of postharvest losses along smallholder producers maize and Sweetpotato value chains: an ordered Probit analysis," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 11(5), pages 1101-1120, October.
    6. Isaac Gershon Kodwo Ansah & Bright K. D. Tetteh & Samuel A. Donkoh, 2017. "Determinants and income effect of yam postharvest loss management: evidence from the Zabzugu District of Northern Ghana," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 9(3), pages 611-620, June.
    7. Ambler, Kate & Brauw, Alan de & Godlonton, Susan, 2018. "Measuring postharvest losses at the farm level in Malawi," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 62(01), January.
    8. Papke, Leslie E & Wooldridge, Jeffrey M, 1996. "Econometric Methods for Fractional Response Variables with an Application to 401(K) Plan Participation Rates," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 11(6), pages 619-632, Nov.-Dec..
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    1. Arends-Kuenning, Mary & Garcias, Marcos & Kamei, Akito & Shikida, Pery Francisco Assis & Romani, Gisele Esser, 2022. "Factors associated with harvest and postharvest loss among soybean farmers in Western Paraná State, Brazil," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    2. Salim Yılmaz & Ahmet Murat Günal & Gizem Köse & Murat Baş, 2025. "The Environmental and Economic Dynamics of Food Waste and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Causal Time Series Analysis from 2000 to 2022," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-26, January.
    3. World Bank, 2022. "Agrifood Systems in Northern Central America," World Bank Publications - Reports 38156, The World Bank Group.
    4. Curzi, Daniele & Nota, Paolo & Di Falco, Salvatore, 2022. "Post-Harvest Losses and Climate Conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa," 96th Annual Conference, April 4-6, 2022, K U Leuven, Belgium 321219, Agricultural Economics Society - AES.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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