A Quantitative and Qualitative Study of Food Loss in Glasshouse-Grown Tomatoes
Author Margaret Thorsen taking in field measurements
About this resource: This study provides food loss data, and explores food loss drivers, for one of New Zealand’s largest glasshouse tomato growers by weighing and visually assessing tomato losses at the glasshouse, packhouse and sales warehouse. Qualitative interviews were held with the tomato grower and selected employees, as well as key industry stakeholders throughout New Zealand. Total food loss was 16.9% of marketed yield, consisting of 13.9% unharvested tomatoes, 2.8% rejected at the glasshouse and 0.3% rejected at the packhouse. Tomato losses predominantly resulted from commercial factors such as market price, competitor activity and supply and demand issues. Similar food loss drivers were reported throughout the New Zealand horticulture sector. Commercial factors, in particular, are challenging to address, and collaboration throughout the supply chain will be required to help growers reduce food losses.
Food Waste Innovation authors: Margaret Thorsen, Miranda Mirosa, and Sheila Skeaff
Citation: Thorsen, M., Mirosa, M., & Skeaff, S. (2022). A Quantitative and Qualitative Study of Food Loss in Glasshouse-Grown Tomatoes. Horticulture, 8(1):39. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8010039