Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this study quantifies horticultural postharvest losses\nof two medium-sized (annual pack volume 4500 t) commercial, domestic, tomato supply chains.\nQuantification of loss was based on weight or volume, consistent with direct measurement methods\nof the Food Loss and Waste Accounting and Reporting Standard 2016 and qualitative techniques were\nused to identify the drivers of the loss and contextualise the findings. Postharvest loss was found to\nbe between 40.3% (55.34 t) and 55.9% (29.61 t) of the total harvestable product. It was determined\nthat between 68.6% and 86.7% of undamaged, edible, harvested tomatoes were rejected as outgrades\nand consequently discarded due to product specifications. Between 71.2% and 84.1% of produced\ntomatoes were left in the field and not harvested. This study highlights significant factors contributing\nto high levels of food loss and waste. Edible products are being removed from the commercial food\nsupply chain, rejected as outgrades deemed cosmetically defective due to market-based decisions.\nWith only 44.1% and 59.7% of the harvestable crop reaching the consumers of the two supply chains,\nrespectively, it is perhaps more appropriate to describe a food ââ?¬Å?wasteââ?¬Â chain as opposed to a food\nââ?¬Å?supplyââ?¬Â chain.
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