Analyzing Food Loss in the Fresh Longan Supply Chain: Evidence from Field Survey Measurements

• Published in: Agriculture (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 10; p. 1951
• Main Authors: Tansuchat, Roengchai, Pankasemsuk, Tanachai, Panmanee, Chanita, Rattanasamakarn, Tanapol, Palason, Konnika
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.10.2023
• Subjects: Agricultural societies; Agriculture; Data collection; Evaluation; field survey measurements; Food; food loss; Food supply; Fruits; Fumigation; Guidelines; Harvesting; Logistics; Longan; Natural resources; Post-harvest decay; SDG 12.3.1; Sulfur dioxide; Supply chains; Surveys; Sustainable development; Thailand; Thailand; Southeast Asia; Asia; China
• ISSN: 2077-0472; 2077-0472
• DOI: 10.3390/agriculture13101951

Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 12 and Sub-Indicator 12.3.1.a, this study rigorously examines food loss dynamics in the longan value chain—encompassing the stages from production to wholesale. Longan, a key commodity in Thailand’s national food loss index calculation, undergoes a comprehensive evaluation following FAO guidelines. This study aims to quantify quantity loss in fresh longan fruit, which pinpoints critical loss stages for targeted policy recommendations. Additionally, it seeks to establish a robust methodology for data collection and calculation, providing a model for evaluating food losses in tropical fruits. Results disclose varying loss percentages across supply chains: quantitative loss 14.07% and qualitative loss 11.02% for domestic consumption, quantitative loss 13.50% and qualitative loss 14.82% for export-bound fresh longans on-season, and quantitative loss 9.85% and qualitative loss 6.52% for export-bound fresh longans off-season. Critical loss stages are identified—particularly over-ripe longan harvesting due to labor shortages and price volatility. Further factors contributing to food losses encompass insufficient pre-harvest handling practices, which result in subsequent post-harvest losses, deficiencies in SO2 fumigation and storage processes, as well as transportation-related issues. This study’s contribution lies in its comprehensive guidance, emphasizing field survey measurements and aligning with the FAO guidelines, making it a vital tool for quantifying and addressing food loss, especially in the tropical fruit sector.