Assessment of the food losses and waste along the tomato and carrot value chain in Sweden: A value chain analysis approach

Abstract: Assessing food losses and waste in the tomato and carrot value chain in Sweden is essential for achieving sustainable development.  This study uses a mixed method to analyze the extent of food loss and waste along the tomato and carrot value chain and related causing factors. It identifies reduction opportunities for enhancing the food system's sustainability. The study collected primary data from household consumers and retailers using a Google questionnaire. In addition, it also gathered secondary data from academic journals and public and private organizations' reports covering agricultural production, retailers, and consumption stages. In agricultural tomato production, food loss ranges from 1% to 20-25% of the total production. Meanwhile, carrot food loss ranges from 25-28% to a maximum of 58%. It has been observed that a percentage of approximately 1-2% of the total retail sales of tomatoes and carrots result in wastage weekly. This phenomenon is observed across carrot and tomato consumers at the household level. From the primary data analysis remark, food wastage in the supply chain for tomatoes and carrots varies across stages. The top causes are expiration dates and contamination factors, followed by inadequate packaging, with both responsible for 40% of wastage at the retail stage. Many factors contribute to food waste at the consumption level, including spoilage, leftovers, poor quality, and over-purchasing. These factors were confirmed to account for 42.1%, 33.3%, 28.6%, and 27.8% of food waste, respectively. Metadata analysis identified various causes of food waste, including natural factors, product-specific issues, supply chain challenges, operational processes, infrastructure and equipment, and behavioural factors. To effectively reduce food waste, it is crucial to implement strategies that address the root causes of the problem. These include avoiding excessive purchases, changing consumption habits, educating consumers, and understanding labelling terms: management strategies, technology, and quality-related dimensions. To sustain the vegetable value chain, it is vital to prevent food waste through policies, establish effective management strategies, and invest in innovative technology.