'Over supply' & 'no market demand' as the main causes for food loss in a wholesale market research

In today?s economic climate, businesses need to efficiently manage their finite resources to maintain long-term sustainable growth, productivity, and profits. However, food loss produces large unacceptable economic losses, environmental degradation, and impacts on humanity globally. Its cost in Australia is estimated to be around AUS$8 billion each year, but knowledge of its extent within the food value chain from farm to fork is very limited.? The present study examines food loss by wholesalers. A survey questionnaire was prepared and distributed; 35 wholesalers and processors replied and their responses to 10 targeted questions on produce volumes, amounts handled, reasons for food loss, and innovations applied or being considered to reduce and utilize food loss were analyzed. Reported food loss was estimated to be 180 kg per week per primary wholesaler and 30 kg per secondary wholesaler, or around 286 tonnes per year. Participants ranked ?over supply? and ?no market demand? as the main causes for food loss. The study found that improving grading guidelines has the potential to significantly reduce food loss levels and improve profit margins. Access the article? SourceHorticultural Loss Generated by Wholesalers: A Case Study of the Canning Vale Fruit and Vegetable Markets in Western AustraliaPurabi R. Ghosh (1), Derek Fawcett (1), Devindri Perera (2), Shashi B. Sharma (3) and Gerrard E. J. Poinern (1)(1)?Murdoch Applied Nanotechnology Research Group, Department of Physics, Energy Studies and Nanotechnology, School of Engineering and Energy, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia(2)?Mathematics and Statistics, School of Engineering and Energy, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia(3)?Department of Agriculture and Food, 3 Baron Hay Court, South Perth, Western Australia 6151, AustraliaHorticulturae?2017,?3(2), 34; doi:10.3390/horticulturae3020034