Quantifying Postharvest Loss and the Implication of Market-Based Decisions: A Case Study of Two Commercial Domestic Tomato Supply Chains in Queensland, Australia

Article

McKenzie, Tara J., Singh-Peterson, Lila and Underhill, Steven J. R.. 2017. "Quantifying Postharvest Loss and the Implication of Market-Based Decisions: A Case Study of Two Commercial Domestic Tomato Supply Chains in Queensland, Australia." Horticulturae. 3 (3), pp. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae3030044
Article Title

Quantifying Postharvest Loss and the Implication of Market-Based Decisions: A Case Study of Two Commercial Domestic Tomato Supply Chains in Queensland, Australia

ERA Journal ID212707
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsMcKenzie, Tara J. (Author), Singh-Peterson, Lila (Author) and Underhill, Steven J. R. (Author)
Journal TitleHorticulturae
Journal Citation3 (3), pp. 1-15
Article Number44
Number of Pages15
Year2017
PublisherMDPI AG
Place of PublicationSwitzerland
ISSN2311-7524
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae3030044
Web Address (URL)https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/3/3/44
Abstract

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

KeywordsDestination of loss; Food loss and waste; Food security; Horticulture; Postharvest loss; Private food policy and standards; Tomato
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020300806. Post harvest horticultural technologies (incl. transportation and storage)
440799. Policy and administration not elsewhere classified
Byline AffiliationsUniversity of the Sunshine Coast
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q7058/quantifying-postharvest-loss-and-the-implication-of-market-based-decisions-a-case-study-of-two-commercial-domestic-tomato-supply-chains-in-queensland-australia

Log in to edit

Download files

Published Version
McKenzie et al. horticulturae-03-00044-v2.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Anyone

  • 94
    total views
  • 60
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Prediction of Sea Level Using Double Data Decomposition and Hybrid Deep Learning Model for Northern Territory, Australia
Raj, Nawin, Murali, Jaishukh, Singh-Peterson, Lila and Downs, Nathan. 2024. "Prediction of Sea Level Using Double Data Decomposition and Hybrid Deep Learning Model for Northern Territory, Australia." Mathematics. 12 (15). https://doi.org/10.3390/math12152376
From conceptualization to practice: enhancing economic resilience at the local government level in Australia
Singh-Peterson, Lila, Kassulke, Anna and Raj, Nawin. 2024. "From conceptualization to practice: enhancing economic resilience at the local government level in Australia." Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning. 26 (3), pp. 295-310. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2024.2334709
Traditional knowledge for climate resilience in the Pacific Islands
Nunn, P.D., Kumar, R., Barrowman, H.M., Chambers, L.E., Fifita, L., Geogeo, D., Gomese, C., McGree, S., Rarai, A., Cheer, K., Esau, D., Fa'anunu, O., Fong, T., Lomavatu, M., Geraghty, P., Heorake, T., Kekeubata, E., Korovulavula, I., Kubunavanua, E., ..., Waiwai, M.. 2024. "Traditional knowledge for climate resilience in the Pacific Islands." WIREs Climate Change. 15 (4). https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.882
Investigating the “Thief in the Night”: The Reproduction and Erosion of Indigenous Forms of Social Resilience in Rural Fiji
Singh-Peterson, Lila and Iranacolaivalu, Manoa. 2024. "Investigating the “Thief in the Night”: The Reproduction and Erosion of Indigenous Forms of Social Resilience in Rural Fiji." Human Ecology. 52 (1), pp. 143-154. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-024-00483-8
Understanding Constraints and Enablers of Climate Risk Management Strategies: Evidence from Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Regional South India
Shantharaju, Anupama, Islam, Md Aminul, Kath, Jarrod M., Mushtaq, Shahbaz, Muniyappa, Arun and Singh-Peterson, Lila. 2024. "Understanding Constraints and Enablers of Climate Risk Management Strategies: Evidence from Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Regional South India." Sustainability. 16 (5), p. 2018. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052018
Rapid appraisal of a potential community-based citrus project in Fiji
Singh-Peterson, Lila and Iranacolaivalu, Manoa. 2018. Rapid appraisal of a potential community-based citrus project in Fiji. Sunshine Coast, Australia. University of the Sunshine Coast.
Horticultural postharvest loss in municipal fruit and vegetable markets in Samoa
Underhill, Steven J. R., Zhou, Yuchan, Sherzad, Shukrullah, Singh-Peterson, Lila and Tagoai, Semua Militini. 2017. "Horticultural postharvest loss in municipal fruit and vegetable markets in Samoa." Food Security: the science, sociology and economics of food production and access to food. 9 (6), pp. 1373-1383. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-017-0734-7
Food security, remoteness and consolidation of supermarket distribution centres: Factors contributing to food pricing inequalities across Queensland, Australia
Singh-Peterson, Lila, Lieske, Scott, Underhill, Steven J. R. and Keys, Noni. 2016. "Food security, remoteness and consolidation of supermarket distribution centres: Factors contributing to food pricing inequalities across Queensland, Australia." Australian Geographer. 47 (1), pp. 89-102. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049182.2015.1093700
Integrating gender in agricultural development: learnings from South Pacific contexts
Singh-Peterson, Lila and Carnegie, Michelle. 2020. Integrating gender in agricultural development: learnings from South Pacific contexts. Bingley, United Kingdom. Emerald.
Reflections from the South Pacific - navigating intersectionality and customary contexts to progress gender equality and gender equity
Singh-Peterson, Lila, Carnegie, Michelle, Bourke, R. Michael (Mike), Bue, Veronica, Kunatuba, Joanne Lee, Laqeretabua, Ana, Tano Moala, Temaleti, Pamphilon, Barbara and Vilisoni, Marilyn T. J.. 2020. "Reflections from the South Pacific - navigating intersectionality and customary contexts to progress gender equality and gender equity." Singh-Peterson, Lila and Carnegie, Michelle (ed.) Integrating Gender in Agricultural Development: Learnings from South Pacific Contexts. London, United Kingdom. Emerald. pp. 151-162
Food Pricing, Extreme Weather and the Rural/Urban Divide: A Case Study of Northern NSW, Australia
Singh-Peterson, Lila, Shoebridge, Amanda and Lawrence, Geoffrey. 2013. "Food Pricing, Extreme Weather and the Rural/Urban Divide: A Case Study of Northern NSW, Australia." Journal of Food Security. 1 (2), pp. 42-48. https://doi.org/10.12691/jfs-1-2-5
Learning from cross-border arrangements to support climate change adaptation in Australia
Steele, Wendy, Sporne, Ilva, Dale, Pat, Shearer, Scott, Singh-Peterson, Lila, Serrao-Neumann, Silvia, Crick, Florence, Choy, Darryl Low and Eslami-Andargoli, Leila. 2013. "Learning from cross-border arrangements to support climate change adaptation in Australia." Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 57 (5), pp. 682-703. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2013.763771
Indigenous entrepreneurship in Northern NSW, Australia
Shoebridge, Amanda, Buultjens, Jeremy and Singh-Peterson, Lila. 2012. "Indigenous entrepreneurship in Northern NSW, Australia." Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship. 17 (3), pp. 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1142/s1084946712500173
Translation and evaluation of the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia
Singh-Peterson, Lila, Salmon, Paul, Goode, Natassia and Gallina, John. 2014. "Translation and evaluation of the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia." International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 10 (Part A), pp. 116-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2014.07.004
Australian Indigenous Entrepreneurship: Lessons for Success
Shoebridge, A., Buultjens, J. and Singh-Peterson, L.. 2011. "Australian Indigenous Entrepreneurship: Lessons for Success." 34th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Conference: Sustainable Futures: Enterprising Landscapes and Communities (ISBE 2011). Sheffield, United Kingdom 09 - 10 Nov 2011 Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Deconstructing the concept of shared responsibility for disaster resilience: a Sunshine Coast case study, Australia
Singh-Peterson, Lila, Salmon, Paul, Baldwin, Claudia and Goode, Natassia. 2015. "Deconstructing the concept of shared responsibility for disaster resilience: a Sunshine Coast case study, Australia." Natural Hazards. 79 (2), pp. 755-774. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-015-1871-y
Insights into community vulnerability and resilience following natural disasters: perspectives with food retailers in Northern NSW, Australia
Singh-Peterson, Lila and Lawrence, Geoffrey. 2014. "Insights into community vulnerability and resilience following natural disasters: perspectives with food retailers in Northern NSW, Australia." Local Environment: the international journal of justice and sustainability. 20 (7), pp. 782-795. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2013.873396
Planning for climate change across borders: insights from the Gold Coast (QLD) - Tweed (NSW) region
Singh-Peterson, L., Serrao-Neumann, S., Crick, F. and Sporne, I.. 2013. "Planning for climate change across borders: insights from the Gold Coast (QLD) - Tweed (NSW) region." Australian Planner. 50 (2), pp. 148-156. https://doi.org/10.1080/07293682.2013.776980
Positive SOI, negative PDO and spring tides as simple indicators of the potential for extreme coastal erosion in northern NSW
Proudfoot, M. and Singh Peterson, L.. 2011. "Positive SOI, negative PDO and spring tides as simple indicators of the potential for extreme coastal erosion in northern NSW." Australasian Journal of Environmental Management. 18 (3), pp. 170-181. https://doi.org/10.1080/14486563.2011.598257
Learning from cross-border mechanisms to support climate change adaptation in Australia: final report
Steele, Wendy, Eslami-Andargoli, Leila, Crick, Florence, Serrao-Neumann, Silvia, Singh-Peterson, Lila, Dale, Pat, Choy, Darryl Low, Sporne, Ilva, Shearer, Scott and Lotti, Anne-Sophie. 2013. Learning from cross-border mechanisms to support climate change adaptation in Australia: final report. Gold Coast, Australia. National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility.
Upward reflections of top-down gendered institutions - a community development case study from Tonga
Singh-Peterson, Lila, Tano Moala, Temaleti and Hamani, Luhia Kanumi (Louna). 2020. "Upward reflections of top-down gendered institutions - a community development case study from Tonga." Singh-Peterson, Lila and Carnegie, Michelle (ed.) Integrating Gender in Agricultural Development: Learnings from South Pacific Contexts. London, United Kingdom. Emerald. pp. 91-104
Integrating gender in agricultural development initiatives across the South Pacific: customs, values and intersections
Singh-Peterson, Lila and Carnegie, Michelle. 2020. "Integrating gender in agricultural development initiatives across the South Pacific: customs, values and intersections." Singh-Peterson, Lila and Carnegie, Michelle (ed.) Integrating Gender in Agricultural Development: Learnings from South Pacific Contexts. London, United Kingdom. Emerald. pp. 1-12
South Pacific contexts for gender equity scholarship and practice
Singh-Peterson, Lila. 2020. "South Pacific contexts for gender equity scholarship and practice." Singh-Peterson, Lila and Carnegie, Michelle (ed.) Integrating Gender in Agricultural Development: Learnings from South Pacific Contexts. London, United Kingdom. Emerald. pp. 163-173
The international 'gender agenda' in the context of the South Pacific and agricultural livelihoods
Carnegie, Michelle and Singh-Peterson, Lila. 2020. "The international 'gender agenda' in the context of the South Pacific and agricultural livelihoods." Singh-Peterson, Lila and Carnegie, Michelle (ed.) Integrating Gender in Agricultural Development: Learnings from South Pacific Contexts. London, United Kingdom. Emerald. pp. 33-55
Barriers to market for subsistence farmers in Fiji – A gendered perspective
Singh-Peterson, Lila and Iranacolaivalu, Manoa. 2018. "Barriers to market for subsistence farmers in Fiji – A gendered perspective." Journal of Rural Studies. 60, pp. 11-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2018.03.001
Improving non-communicable disease remediation outcomes in Tonga: the importance of domestic fruit production systems: an analysis
Underhill, Steven J. R. and Singh-Peterson, Lila. 2017. "Improving non-communicable disease remediation outcomes in Tonga: the importance of domestic fruit production systems: an analysis." Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics. 118 (1), pp. 91-103.
An evaluation of the Community Disaster Resilience Scorecard Toolkit by small, high-risk communities on the Sunshine Coast
Singh-Peterson, Lila, Salmon, Paul, Goode, Natassia and Gallina, John. 2016. "An evaluation of the Community Disaster Resilience Scorecard Toolkit by small, high-risk communities on the Sunshine Coast." Natural Hazards. 84 (1), pp. 489-505. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2435-5
The changing face of the Mary Valley: considering the fairness, sustainability and resilience of the agricultural system in a peri-urban setting
Singh-Peterson, Lila and Lawrence, Geoffrey. 2016. "The changing face of the Mary Valley: considering the fairness, sustainability and resilience of the agricultural system in a peri-urban setting." Local Environment: the international journal of justice and sustainability. 22 (5), pp. 568-580. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2016.1233953
Interrogating resilience: toward a typology to improve its operationalization
Davidson, Julie L., Jacobson, Chris, Lyth, Anna, Dedekorkut-Howes, Aysin, Baldwin, Claudia L., Ellison, Joanna C., Holbrook, Neil J., Howes, Michael J., Serrao-Neumann, Silvia, Singh-Peterson, Lila and Smith, Timothy F.. 2016. "Interrogating resilience: toward a typology to improve its operationalization." Ecology and Society: a journal of integrative science for resilience and sustainability. 21 (2). https://doi.org/10.5751/es-08450-210227
A multi-scalar, mixed methods framework for assessing rural communities’ capacity for resilience, adaptation, and transformation
Singh-Peterson, Lila and Underhill, Steven J. R. 2016. "A multi-scalar, mixed methods framework for assessing rural communities’ capacity for resilience, adaptation, and transformation." Community Development. 48 (1), pp. 127-140. https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2016.1250103
Modelling secondary organic aerosol formation: from chemical mechanistic modelling to empirical modelling
Singh-Peterson, Lila. 2007. Modelling secondary organic aerosol formation: from chemical mechanistic modelling to empirical modelling. PhD Thesis Doctor of Philosophy. University of New South Wales.
Supporting a Diverse and Sustainable Fruit Industry in Tonga
Singh-Peterson, Lila, Halavatau, Siosiua and Underhill, Steven. 2015. Supporting a Diverse and Sustainable Fruit Industry in Tonga. Sunshine Coast, Australia. University of the Sunshine Coast.
An assessment of community disaster resilience for small, high-risk communities on the Sunshine Coast, Qld
Singh-Peterson, Lila, Salmon, Paul, Goode, Natassia and Gallina, John. 2015. "An assessment of community disaster resilience for small, high-risk communities on the Sunshine Coast, Qld." The Australian Journal of Emergency Management. 30 (1), pp. 35-40.
The Changing Face of Mary documentary
Singh-Peterson, ila, Smit, Sondra, Lawrence, Geoff and Carter, Bill. 2015. The Changing Face of Mary documentary. Sippy Downs, Australia.
ACIAR Final Report Supporting a diverse and sustainable fruit tree industry in Tonga HORT/2014/090
Underhill, Steven, Singh-Peterson, Lila, Na'ati, Elisiva and Halavatau, Siosiua. 2014. ACIAR Final Report Supporting a diverse and sustainable fruit tree industry in Tonga HORT/2014/090. Sunshine Coast, Australia. University of the Sunshine Coast.
Re-framing community disaster resilience: from a systems perspective: Sunshine Coast case study report
Singh-Peterson, L., Baldwin, C., Dickinson, M, Bohnen, S., Woolcock, G., Malcom, F., Salmon, P., Goode, N. and Gallina, J.. 2014. Re-framing community disaster resilience: from a systems perspective: Sunshine Coast case study report. Sippy downs, Australia. University of the Sunshine Coast.
Controversies in Local Economic Development: Stories, Strategies, Solutions by Martin Perry
Singh-Peterson, Lila. 2011. "Controversies in Local Economic Development: Stories, Strategies, Solutions by Martin Perry." Journal of Economic and Social Policy. 14 (3).