Reducing Postharvest Losses
In the OIC Member Countries
9
Food Waste: food losses at the near consumer stages of the supply chain.
In this study, the focus in on those losses that occur between the farm-gate (on-farm losses)
and at or near the consumer. This intermediate stage includes numerous different sub-stages
and functions such as handling, storage, processing, packaging, transportation, distribution
and marketing.
The objectives of the report
This report aims to provide analysis that can contribute to food security in OIC Member
Countries by reducing postharvest losses and thereby increasing productivity and efficiency of
the agricultural sectors.
The purpose of the report is to present an overview of the current situation with regards to
postharvest losses as defined by the OIC Member Countries, understand the main reasons and
consequences of these losses, and demonstrate approaches and practices that can contribute
to their reduction. The report will provide policy guidance and recommendations for OIC
Member Countries which can lead to collaboration to effectively address postharvest losses.
The audience for this study is, in the first instance, OIC Member Country policy makers. Other
stakeholders both within and external to the OIC Member Countries may find it a useful
contribution to the emerging debate on global food loss and waste. As we shall see, the study
engaged many stakeholders and interest in efforts to address postharvest losses was universal
among this population.
Structure of the report
The report comprises an introduction which gives the background, objectives, and the
framework. Chapter 1 comprised the conceptual framework for postharvest losses and
Chapter 2 gives on overview of postharvest losses from a global perspective. The following
chapters explore the postharvest losses with respect to the OIC Member Countries. Chapter 3
gives the result and interpretation from an online survey of postharvest loss experts
worldwide. In Chapter 4, case studies explore losses in more detail for specific commodities
and countries spanning the OIC Member Countries. Chapter 5 explores the causes and
consequences of postharvest losses with an initial bringing together of that found in the
preceding chapters on the review, online survey and case studies. Chapter 6 gives policy
recommendations and this is followed by the conclusions, references and annexes.
Methodology
This analytical study of postharvest losses in OIC Member Countries was completed using
three methods; literature review and syntheses, a survey of key informants and case studies
where key informants were interviewed. By adopting three different methods it was hoped
that a range of postharvest losses and important efforts to address these losses would be
discovered.
Literature review
The study reviewed available literature on postharvest losses in general and specific to the
target commodities and OIC Member Countries (see conceptual framework below). The