Food Loss in the Food Value Chain: The Philippine Agriculture Scenario

Abstract

In the Philippines, agriculture contributes about 8.6% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Agricultural products are high volume, low value and highly perishable. These produce are generally wasted during the process of food distribution in the supply chain. Major contributors to huge losses are the inherent nature of these produce, the tropical setting of the country, lack of post-harvest infrastructure and facilities, the way of handling and the multi-layered distribution system. In the Philippines, substantial post-harvest losses of up to 50% was recorded from the initial harvesting, grading, packaging and transportation from field to storage and distribution to the consumers. To address these problems, agricultural development entails accelerating productivity and increasing linkages between farm production, agricultural services, industrial and technological inputs, and agro-processing. The context of agricultural development in the country involves a transition from farming to engagement in small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the supply chain as processors. However, agricultural diversification and changing patterns in agricultural consumption poses both challenge and potential for change in reducing food loss in the Philippines.