Short answer

Focus design efforts on the identified critical loss points in the longan supply chain, such as improving harvesting efficiency and enhancing post-harvest handling and storage technologies.

Field
Sustainability
Source
Agriculture (2023)
Method
Field survey measurements following FAO guidelines.
Evidence
Strong effect

Identifying specific loss points in the longan supply chain allows for focused interventions that can significantly decrease overall food waste. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Agriculture. Using Field survey measurements following fao guidelines., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Focus design efforts on the identified critical loss points in the longan supply chain, such as improving harvesting efficiency and enhancing post-harvest handling and storage technologies.

Study
SustainabilityRecentStrong effect

Targeted interventions can reduce longan food loss by up to 14%

Identifying specific loss points in the longan supply chain allows for focused interventions that can significantly decrease overall food waste.

Agriculture · 2023

01

Key Findings

  • 01Quantitative loss for domestic consumption: 14.07%
  • 02Qualitative loss for domestic consumption: 11.02%
  • 03Quantitative loss for export (on-season): 13.50%
  • 04Qualitative loss for export (on-season): 14.82%
  • 05Quantitative loss for export (off-season): 9.85%
02

Application

Design takeaway

Focus design efforts on the identified critical loss points in the longan supply chain, such as improving harvesting efficiency and enhancing post-harvest handling and storage technologies.

How to apply

Analyze your own product's supply chain to pinpoint specific stages where losses occur and develop targeted solutions.

Project actions

  • 01When researching a product, consider its entire journey from raw material to consumer.
  • 02Quantify losses or inefficiencies at different stages to identify areas for improvement.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo quantify food loss in the fresh longan supply chain and identify critical stages and contributing factors for targeted policy recommendations.
MethodField survey measurements following FAO guidelines.
ProcedureResearchers conducted field surveys to measure quantitative and qualitative food loss at various stages of the longan supply chain, from production to wholesale, for both domestic and export markets, considering different seasons.
ContextFresh longan supply chain in Thailand.

Variables

IV["Supply chain stage (production, harvest, post-harvest handling, storage, transport, wholesale)","Market destination (domestic, export)","Season (on-season, off-season)"]
DV["Quantitative food loss (%)","Qualitative food loss (%)"]
CV["Type of fruit (longan)","Geographic location (Thailand)","Methodology (FAO guidelines, field survey)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Uses a rigorous, field-based methodology aligned with international standards (FAO).
  • +Provides specific quantitative data on food loss across different supply chain segments and market types.

Limitations

It can be challenging to get accurate data on food loss, as it often involves sensitive information for businesses.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability is enhanced by its adherence to FAO guidelines and field survey measurements. Validity is supported by the comprehensive scope covering multiple stages and market types, though specific regional variations might exist.

Think critically

How might the economic factors of labor shortages and price volatility be addressed through design innovation to reduce food loss at the harvesting stage?

05

Design Principles

"Minimize waste by designing for efficiency at every stage of the product lifecycle."

Understanding where and why food is lost is crucial for developing effective strategies to improve resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact. This knowledge enables designers and supply chain managers to implement targeted solutions, minimizing waste and maximizing the value of agricultural products.

06

What This Means for Your Design

This study shows that a lot of longan fruit gets wasted, and we figured out exactly where and why. By fixing problems at harvest, storage, and transport, we can save a lot of fruit.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this study to justify the importance of reducing waste in your design project, especially if it involves food or agricultural products.
  • 2.Cite the specific loss percentages to highlight the scale of the problem you are addressing.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights significant food loss within the longan supply chain, with quantitative losses reaching up to 14.07% for domestic consumption and 13.50% for export. Critical points of loss were identified at harvesting due to labor and price issues, alongside deficiencies in pre-harvest handling, post-harvest fumigation, storage, and transportation. These findings underscore the need for targeted design interventions to improve efficiency and reduce waste throughout the agricultural value chain.

09

Source

Agriculture

Analyzing Food Loss in the Fresh Longan Supply Chain: Evidence from Field Survey Measurements

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about targeted interventions can reduce longan food loss by up to 14%?
Focus design efforts on the identified critical loss points in the longan supply chain, such as improving harvesting efficiency and enhancing post-harvest handling and storage technologies. Evidence: Agriculture (2023).
Why does "Targeted interventions can reduce longan food loss by up to 14%" matter for design?
Understanding where and why food is lost is crucial for developing effective strategies to improve resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact. This knowledge enables designers and supply chain managers to implement targeted solutions, minimizing waste and maximizing the value of agricultural products.
How can designers apply this research?
Focus design efforts on the identified critical loss points in the longan supply chain, such as improving harvesting efficiency and enhancing post-harvest handling and storage technologies.
What were the main findings?
Quantitative loss for domestic consumption: 14.07%. Qualitative loss for domestic consumption: 11.02%. Quantitative loss for export (on-season): 13.50%. Qualitative loss for export (on-season): 14.82%
What research method was used?
Field survey measurements following FAO guidelines..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Agriculture.
What should I do differently in my next project?
Analyze your own product's supply chain to pinpoint specific stages where losses occur and develop targeted solutions.
What are the limitations?
The study focuses specifically on longans in Thailand, and findings may not be directly transferable to other fruits or regions without further investigation.