Reduce losses in agri production : developing building blocks for the network of excellence postharvest food losses

Value chains for perishable products, including fruits and vegetables, require an integrated approach to cope with the challenges in producing sufficient food products in a resourceefficient manner. Developing economies are increasingly investing in their potential of agricultural production. However, the lack of an adequate functioning infrastructure in the postharvest chain, lack of or limited knowledge of products and the proper handling of these, but also the poor linkages between production and markets, often result in large losses of the harvested product before it reaches the consumer market. This report forms the synthesis of the development of a Network of Excellence Postharvest Food Losses and a summary of the status regarding the development of the Network.