Despite Abundant Food Production, Millions in South Africa Still Face Hunger

According to official statistics, South Africa can generate sufficient food for its population. However, millions still face hunger, largely due to food loss and waste throughout the value chain. Annually, it is estimated that around 10.3 million tonnes of food are wasted in the country, with 19% being fresh produce.

A significant amount of this loss and waste occurs during the processes of harvesting, transportation, and marketing, primarily due to handling issues and insufficient infrastructure.

As specialists in agri-food systems, we have analyzed food waste at both the farm level and later in the supply chain as it moves towards consumers. For instance, I (Opara) discovered that for pomegranates, 15.3% to 20.1% of the harvest is lost at the farm (due to various reasons, such as sunburn and fruit cracks), and 6.74% to 7.69% is lost at the packhouse (primarily due to surface injuries and misclassification of fruits from the farm).

Another study I conducted measured post-harvest waste at a produce market, revealing waste levels ranging from 0.68% to 1.26%.

Read: Climate change could result in a 50% reduction in SA food production

This research underscores that food waste is partly attributable to shortcomings or failures in the cold chain, particularly during the summer months when elevated temperatures adversely impact the quality of fresh produce.

A cold chain refers to a temperature-regulated supply chain that ensures the safety and freshness of perishable products.

Enhancing cold storage capabilities could significantly mitigate waste.

Influence of Seasons on Fresh Produce Waste

My (Opara) recent study aimed to evaluate the extent and seasonal variations of postharvest waste at the wholesale level, utilizing a case study from a fresh produce market in Gauteng province, South Africa. This study analyzed historical data on fresh produce waste from the market over a three-year period (2021 to 2023).

The findings indicate that seasonal heat and humidity significantly affect the physical quality and marketability of fresh produce, which is often sold based on freshness claims.

Increased temperatures commonly lead to higher moisture loss. If this loss is not properly managed, the produce deteriorates, making it unsellable or unsafe for consumption. Throughout the seasons in South Africa, temperature and humidity levels fluctuate significantly.

Most fresh produce waste occurs during the summer months, necessitating improvements in handling, storage, and maintaining the cold chain to preserve quality.

The study indicates that approximately 9,124 to 17,969 tonnes, equating to about 0.68% to 1.26% of the supplied fresh produce, is discarded yearly at the fresh produce market.

Much of this waste is attributed to elevated summer temperatures when cold storage facilities experience peak demand.

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Importance of Cold Chain for Food Security

This highlights the crucial need for an effective cold chain system and storage solutions. Cold chain systems comprise a series of supply chain processes that are temperature-controlled, focused on maintaining the temperature of perishable items from the moment they are harvested until they arrive at retail shelves.

This may involve placing fresh produce in shaded areas immediately post-harvest and insulating them from heat or direct sunlight via refrigeration throughout the supply chain.

This regulation helps to slow biological decay and spoilage. The cold chain is vital for prolonging the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by ensuring optimal conditions for transport, storage, and sales.

Maintaining a stable cold chain is essential for preserving food quality and enhancing safety, while also diminishing the risk of foodborne illnesses. This increases the availability of fresh produce and contributes to affordable prices for consumers.

Strategies to Reduce Fresh Produce Waste

A crucial approach to addressing food waste in the country involves investing in cold chain facilities. South Africa’s wholesale markets are well-structured, and the cold chain systems are relatively advanced compared to other sub-Saharan African nations.

However, further investments in cold chain logistics, packhouses, and storage are essential, especially at the National Fresh Produce Markets, which operate as storage, distribution, and wholesale centers.

Small-scale farmers and packhouse operators require financial assistance to establish refrigeration infrastructure, particularly for first-mile cooling and temporary storage before fresh produce reaches the market.

One potential solution is blended investment, which combines public funds with private capital. This strategy can attract private investors since public funds assume initial financial risks, shielding private investors from loss.

This model can drive innovation and investment within the food system.

Collaboration between research institutions and the industry will facilitate effective measurement of food loss and waste, enabling evidence-driven strategies to diminish food waste.

In addition, studies from around the globe have indicated that integrating AI could enhance cold chain systems, reduce waste, enhance food quality, lower costs, and improve access to nutritious foods.

AI can improve the cold chain system’s efficiency. The national fresh produce markets can leverage the automation and efficacy of AI integration to monitor cold storage temperatures.

Advanced algorithms can assist in managing cold storage demand by utilizing real-time data and predictive modeling to optimize energy usage, minimize costs, and stabilize temperatures, especially during high-demand periods. This would reduce waste and ensure fresh produce reaches consumers in optimal condition.

A collaborative approach involving farmers, cold chain operators, transport and logistics providers, research institutions, and the government is essential. South Africa must prioritize not only food production but also the preservation of what is produced through enhanced cold chain infrastructure.

Ikechukwu Opara, postdoctoral research fellow, Stellenbosch University and Frederic Isingizwe, research scientist – eResearch Office, University of the Western Cape

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.