Pérdida de alimentos frutihortícolas durante la postcosecha

Abstract

Theoretically, equation to describe food availability is usually expressed as a balance between food production and world population. There is a third element frequently forgotten: food loss. Cereal losses for developing countries are, in average, 25%. Fruits and vegetables are highly perishable and, for some of them, losses rise nearly to 100%. Goods from the nature are social goods and, in that way, everybody has the right to use them to satisfy its basic needs. Decreasing losses will result in a significant alleviation of poverty and unfairness. Also it will impact on the planet as a whole. Diminishing production intensity, that sometimes conspire against the future food security, will also avoid ambient problems. To illustrate the above mentioned, postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables from Asian countries (Thailand, Japan, Korea, Philippines, India and Taiwan) are described. Proposed solutions are, even when they involve a very low investment, highly respectful of human dignity and ambient protection and preservation.