Research estimates that post-harvest waste accounts for over 44% of all fruit and vegetables produced. In 2022, a study was conducted with 15 South African farmers to find out the perceptions, root causes and challenges – as well as potential opportunities – around food loss and waste in farming.

The biggest motivator for preventing food wastage in primary production is financial viability, yet less than 40% of the farmers measure how much is wasted during the farming process. Farmers in the study considered food waste to be an opportunity, rather than a challenge, thus paving the way for driving behaviour change to reduce food wastage on farms.

This novel report offers many insightful signposts for what could be implemented at scale. These learnings could guide policymakers and institutions in implementing initiatives to reduce food waste on farms and provide support to redistribute surplus food.