Estimating the magnitude of the food loss and waste generated in Brazil

Abstract

The current global food production is enough to meet the caloric needs of the 7 billion individuals. On the other hand, 821 million people are currently malnourished. Living on a planet with this contradiction should lead to more effective actions in combating food insecurity. Food loss and waste contribute to this scenario, both in the economic sphere and in the use of inputs such as water, energy and work for the production process, and greenhouse gases emissions. The lack of data and a precise method of quantification should not prevent the producing countries and food suppliers, such as Brazil, from quantifying their food loss and waste. Through a methodology used by Oelofse and Nahman, we performed an exercise in quantifying FLW in the Brazilian food supply chain. Thus, an improved understanding of this topic can be initiated. An annual average of loss and waste of 82,200 tons was identified between the years 2007 and 2013. This represents 42% of the average national food supply for the period. The average amount of loss and waste were 427 kg/inhabitant/year. The edible portion corresponds to 327 kg/inhabitant/year. Specific studies that quantify and detail the loss and waste of food by the productive chain are necessary to assist in the resolution of this problem.

Quantification of Food Losses and Waste in Peru: A Mass Flow Analysis along the Food Supply Chain

“…Figure 3a,b illustrates that in 2007 and 2007-2017, approximately 53% of total FLW corresponds to the agricultural production (25%) and processing and packaging (28%) steps. These findings are similar to those reported in previous studies from upper-middleincome countries, such as South Africa [31] and Brazil [21]. In both countries, the largest FLW estimate also occurred in the agricultural production and processing and packaging steps.…”

“…They are related to the difficulties faced by farmers during production because of unfavorable climatic conditions, pests, and diseases [14,15]; the market inconsistency and product rejections by agri-food corporations due to quality requirements [29]; the immense diversity of supply channels in formal and informal food chains [24,25]; the lack of cold chain logistics in the agri-food and fisheries sectors [27]. Another determinant is that These findings are similar to those reported in previous studies from upper-middleincome countries, such as South Africa [31] and Brazil [21]. In both countries, the largest FLW estimate also occurred in the agricultural production and processing and packaging steps.…”

“…Similarly, results are hard to compare since other scientific studies in Latin America focus only on specific steps of the FSC. Only the Dal' Magro and Talamini [21] study reported that the quantity of FLW in the entire Brazilian FSC reached 82.12 million tonnes per year during 2007-2013. This equates to 42% of its domestic food supply's average value.…”

“…Because the national supply of food is analyzed, it is essential to consider the international food trade flows to quantify food availability variations at every step of the Peruvian FSC. Thus, the estimation of FLW was based on the top-down mass flow analysis, following Dal' Magro and Talamini's methodological approach [21]. They used this methodology to estimate the magnitude of the FLW in the Brazilian FSC, in the same line as Oelofse and Nahman [31].…”

Effect of Temperature and Organic Load on the Performance of Anaerobic Bioreactors Treating Grasses

“…Industrial and research efforts to overcome the technological constraints for lignocellulosic waste treatment have been previously reported [57]. Nonetheless, there are still issues that have to be examined like the value of the end-products, different waste sources, or the biology of bioreactors [58][59][60]. Considering the above results, a techno-economic assessment of the thermophilic anaerobic digestion of grasses in continuous mode would be interesting to evaluate the process in the context of viability and profitability in a pilot or full-scale application [61][62][63].…”