Losses Due to Non-shipment by Producers of Cucumbers and Okra Grown for Direct Sale

Abstract

  The losses of vegetables discarded by growers in the field or in the pre-shipment selection process were assessed. The percentage losses measured for direct-sale growers were 23％ for cucumbers and 10％ for okra. In contrast, a 15％ loss for cucumbers was estimated from crop statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Although direct-sale growers, being close to their customers, are generally believed to have a low loss rate, this study found the rate to be strongly influenced by weather. Cucumber loss due to causes other than rain amounted to 16％, whereas this figure rose to 41％ during wet weather. The equivalent figures for okra were 5％ and 17％. FAO studies underline the scarcity of data for food loss worldwide. While it is difficult to quantify such losses, there is a need to accumulate data in anticipation of the future transition of agriculture throughout the world.