LOGISTICS SYSTEMS NEED TO SCALE UP REDUCTION OF PRODUCE LOSSES IN THE LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN REGION

In the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region 50% of the fruits and vegetables and 37% of root and tubers are lost before they reach consumers. Improving logistics systems and management is considered an efficient approach to reduce food losses across the supply chain. Failures in logistics operations including product handling, storage, transportation, and inappropriate infrastructure, are among the most common reasons for the high quantities of food losses. Based on related reports this paper describes general principles used to determine performance of logistics systems and highlights key limitations of logistics in the produce sector in the LAC region. A discussion is provided on interventions in logistics systems to scale up reduction of produce losses.