In the last ten years, there has been an increased global recognition of the importance of food loss. In small island developing states, often with limited natural resources and underlying socio-economic challenges, food loss can create an elevated burden on the food system.
Between 2015 and 2021, we sought to quantify the level of horticultural postharvest loss in the South Pacific region and its implications on the fresh food system. Horticultural loss was assessed in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, using municipal and road-side vendor surveys and commodity-specific value chain studies. Supplementary farmer and vendor surveys were then undertaken to document the fresh food distribution system, handling practice, and explore food loss mitigation or avoidance strategies.
Horticultural loss in the South Pacific was 5 to 10%, with sporadic incidences of high loss (>20%). Loss was more prevalent in the large commercial farms, or value chains sourcing product from the outer islands and semi-subsistence production systems. The primary strategy to mitigate against loss involved rapid and regular market supply, underpinned by fast market throughput. In the Pacific, “fast fresh food” is commonly relied on to compensate for a lack of effective postharvest infrastructure. We found that market vendors in Tonga actively up-regulate market supply to reduce loss, potentially limiting farmer participation in the food system. In Samoa, loss was higher in the traditional municipal markets, possibly reflecting changes in consumer purchasing behaviour. In Solomon Islands, farms tend to selectively source product from farm locations based on perceived
While food loss in the Pacific is comparatively low, the underlying mitigation strategies can have a profound impact on the food system. Minimising food loss can influence the type and quantity of crops farmers grow, the markets they supply, and the relative criticality of reliable transport logistics.