Reducing Postharvest Losses
In the OIC Member Countries
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5. CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF POSTHARVEST LOSSES
In this section, the postharvest food losses identified in the overview, online survey and
case/field studies related to physical, economic and quality/nutrition losses are brought
together in order to compare and explore trends in relation to the global situation. The caused
and consequences are then considered along with other issues such as resource assessment,
institutional support and suggestions from online participants.
5.1. Comparison of Postharvest Losses Identified in the Literature Review,
Online Survey and Case/Field Studies.
In this section the report compares the levels of physical losses, economic losses and
quality/nutrition losses found in the OIC Member Countries.
5.1.1. Physical Losses Identified in the Literature Review, Online Survey and
Case/Field Studies
In this section, the focus will be on physical, economic and quality/nutrition losses in OIC
Member Countries and relate this to the Global losses reported. In order to put these into
context of postharvest global losses estimated from Gustavsson et al., 2011, we have retained
the regional classifications and then related losses reported in the literature review, online
survey and case/field studies. This enables trends to be easier to follow using the often limited
information available. ,
The physical losses for the commodity groups are reported in Table 61 to Table 73. There are
many gaps in the information available including the online survey which is expected. In
general, the losses reported in OIC Member Countries in the literature review, online survey
and case/field studies were similar to the global figures reported by Gustavsson et al., 2011.
The results, however, do not mean that this is the true situation since the figures are estimates
and the figures reported in the literature review, online survey and case/field studies are likely
to be influenced by each other because few studies have undertaken accuracy measurements
using a common methodology. Also, the losses are likely to vary greatly from one commodity
to another, one region to another, and from one value chain to another (Table 61).
Cereals
The physical losses for OIC Member Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, West and
Central Asia and South and Southeast Asia are reported in Table 61. Compared to the global
situation, the losses reported in OIC Member Countries in the literature review, online survey
and the case/field study are similar or slightly higher.