Target-Measure-Act: Less Food Loss and Waste in Dutch blueberries supply chains

The growing recognition of the economic, social, and environmental consequences of Food Loss and Waste (FLW) has spurred a call to action among and in cooperation between stakeholders in the food system. The United Nations (through SDG 12.3) and the EU (through the Waste Framework Directive and the CSRD reporting directive) fully support reducing FLW. However, the question remains: Where should your company begin? This factsheet serves as a steppingstone in embracing the Target-Measure-Act approach. The information and statistics presented in this factsheet aim to empower you to target FLW in your food supply chain and formulate your objectives accordingly.

This factsheet presents the blueberry supply chain, the FLW percentages in the main supply chain stages, its destinations and impacts, and the causes and possible interventions to support FLW reduction through the Target-Measure-Act approach.

Read the full blueberries product factsheet

Blueberry market

The Netherlands produced 8.1 kiloton fresh blueberries in 2022 (Vaccinium corymbosum), with a total of 780 hectares of land allocated to their production in 2023. The total acreage declined with 15% since 2020, after years of growth.

Dutch blueberries are mainly harvested and consumed between June and September. However, the Netherlands does also import a large volume of blueberries. In 2021, the Netherlands imported 20.1 kiloton of blueberries (see Figure 1). Imports of this group to the Netherlands come mainly from the continents of South-America (66% of total import volume), Europe (22%) and Africa (11%), and the main countries include Peru, Chile, South-Africa and Spain [5]. A significant portion – 82% of the blueberries produced in the Netherlands and imported to the Netherlands - is exported to neighbouring countries, especially within the European Union (mainly to Germany (40% of total volume), Belgium (7%) and Poland (5%)). This shows the pivotal role of the Netherlands in the distribution of fruits and vegetables to the rest of Europe. In comparison, the Netherlands imported 1.8 kiloton of currants, redcurrants and gooseberries in 2021, with a total value of 9.9 million euro, and exported 5.4 kiloton of those berries and currants with a total value of 45 million euro.

Blueberries are among the top 5 fruits and vegetables in terms of their import value in the Netherlands, accounting for around 0.9% of the total import value of fruits and vegetables. In the context of global trade, the Netherlands is the second largest importer of blueberries, after the USA, and the Netherlands accounts for 11% of the total export weight worldwide. These substantial import and export volumes come with potentially significant Loss and Waste along the supply chain, underscoring the importance of addressing FLW.

Figure 1: Import and export of blueberries in the Netherlands (2021)

FLW in the international blueberry supply chain

The blueberry supply chain consists of multiple actors that all add value to the product, for example by producing the blueberries, transporting, or providing storage. Every blueberries supply chain link differs, as individual companies are involved who all conduct different activities at their entity. In general, actors in the international blueberries supply chain include growers, exporters, importers and retailers. However, also different types of intermediaries can be active in the supply chain in the exporting countries, and actors can also perform multiple functions, such as being grower and exporter. The FLW data collection process consisted of an inventory with quantitative templates with questions on produced or processed volumes and losses, its causes and destinations of lost products. The templates were distributed among SIFAV members (importers and retailers), who in turn shared them with their upstream partners. Partners included were growers, exporters and importers.

Data collected at the primary production stage include the activities production and harvesting of blueberries, and post-harvest activities on-farm such as sorting and packing. Activities at the export stage include all activities performed after farm gate, prior to shipment, which can include for example packing, storage and transport. The import stage includes all activities from overseas and -land transport, arrival until delivery to the retail distribution centre and can include ripening, sorting, repacking and delivering. Activities in the retail stage include the storage, transport and sales at the distribution centres and retail outlets. Table 1 shows the average FLW percentages per supply chain stage as collected by SIFAV members, and the average FLW percentages found in literature. The blueberries production and export countries included in the sample of SIFAV (2022) were Chile, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Serbia. The production and export countries included in the sample of SIFAV (2023) were Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Serbia. The data of FLW in the blueberry supply chain is limited. For primary production, the data from SIFAV (2023) is in line with the literature.

Table 1 shows the average FLW percentages per supply chain stage as collected by Sustainability Initiative Fruit and Vegetables (SIFAV) members, and the average FLW percentages found in literature. The blueberries production and export countries included in the sample of SIFAV (2022) were Chile, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Serbia. The production and export countries included in the sample of SIFAV (2023) were Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Serbia.

Table 1: Sample size, and FLW percentage + standard deviation for blueberries

*This number includes default data, as provided by SIFAV.

The data reported in SIFAV (2022) is slightly lower. Beausang et al. (2017) reported a berry loss of 5%, while Neff et al. (2018) reported berry losses of 15%. The latter also included unharvested berries. At the export stage, the reported percentage of 3.1% is in line with the data found in literature (5%). Literature data for FLW incurred at the import- and retail supply chain stages are absent.

Destinations of FLW in the blueberries supply chain

Blueberries not suitable for human consumption are rejected, become part of the FLW side stream, and need a new destination other than human consumption. Figure 2 shows the destinations of these rejected blueberries as reported by SIFAV (2022). In the primary production and export supply chain stages animal feed is used as destination for the blueberry side streams. Besides the destination animal feed, other destinations for the blueberry side streams are reported, such as composting, land application/ ploughed in and landfill/incineration. At the import and retail supply chain stages only the destination landfill/incineration is reported. The reported destinations are based on a limited number of data entries, so the results below might not present a complete overview of destinations for blueberry side streams.

Figure 2: Destinations of discarded blueberries.

Greenhouse gas impact of blueberries FLW

FLW does not only have a negative effect on economic factors, but also on social and environmental factors such as food security and climate change. As an example of environmental impact, the FLW associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the Dutch blueberries import and distribution are presented here, covering the activities primary production, transportation (from the country of origin to retail), and packaging. The primary production and transportation related emission factors are origin-dependent. Therefore, the FAO detailed trade matrix was used to determine the countries of origin, including a correction for re-export among European countries, for the blueberries imports to the Netherlands. From this import profile, an average emission factor for the primary production, export and import stages result. For distribution towards retail the volume for domestic consumption and the export volumes to various countries are used as input for the average emission factor for the retail chain stage. The packaging emission factors were derived from literature.

The resulting FLW attributed GHG emission factors for the blueberries imported to the Netherlands based on SIFAV data are given in Table 2. The emissions per kg product increase to the end of the supply chain. In other words, one kg product wasted at the retail sector contributes to a larger extend to GHG emissions compared to one kg product lost at primary production.

Table 2: Impact factors in kg CO2-equivalents per kg blueberries along the blueberries supply chain for the Netherlands

The average SIFAV FLW percentages from Table 1 for the chain stages primary production and import and the SIFAV FLW percentage from Table 1 for the export stage are applied to the import and domestic production volumes of the Netherlands. Converted to impact, the chain stage division in CO2 footprint as in Figure 3 results for the first three chain stages. Since there is no estimate of the discarded blueberries at the retail available the impact of these losses could not be determined. With the highest FLW % in the import chain stage, discarded blueberries in this stage of the supply chain contribute the most to the GHG emissions along the upstream chain.

Figure 3: Division of FLW associated GHG emissions along the supply chain for the Dutch blueberries import volume

Causes of FLW in each supply chain link

Table 3 shows the causes of FLW for blueberries in the international and national supply chain, per supply chain stage. As blueberries are a perishable food item, most causes are generic and also applicable to a variety of other perishable food items. In the country of origin, the main root causes of food losses for blueberries include lack of pre-cooling, uncareful handling and interruptions in the cold chain. The root causes of blueberry discards at import and retail include rejection due to moisture loss, and pathogens and rots.

Interventions to prevent and reduce FLW

Potential interventions for FLW reduction for blueberries, per supply chain stage, are provided in Table 4. The interventions are classified into three categories: hardware, software and orgware4. Addressing all three categories ensures a comprehensive approach to developing strategies to decrease FLW. Most potential interventions presented can be implemented in all type of international and national fresh fruit supply chains. Main interventions to tackle the root causes of FLW for blueberries include harvesting frequency, pre-cooling and careful handling in the country of origin, and using the right temperature settings at the import stage of the supply chain. Root causes cannot always be tackled by simply investing in one intervention. Often losses found in one part of the supply chain are already caused further upwards in the supply chain. For example, blueberries sorted out at arrival at the importer due to bruises received the bruises due to transport or the packaging that was used in the producing country. Therefore, it is needed to collaborate with other actors in the supply chain to efficiently reduce FLW.

Table 4: Potential interventions for FLW reduction per supply chain link

Take-home message

Facts & figures

The percentage of Food Loss and Waste (FLW) in the supply chain of blueberries to the Netherlands from primary production till and including retail cannot be calculated, as the FLW% of blueberry in the retail supply chain stage is lacking. When excluding retail, the total percentage of FLW is 13.4%, with the highest percentage of FLW occurring in the import supply chain stage. Estimated FLW associated greenhouse gas emissions increase from 0.54 kg CO2-equivalents per kg blueberries at primary production to 1.19 at retail for Dutch imports and domestic production of blueberries.
The main root causes of FLW for blueberries include lack of pre-cooling, uncareful handling, interruptions in the cold chain, and rejection due to moisture loss, pathogens and rots.
The main interventions for FLW reduction for blueberries include harvesting frequency, pre-cooling, careful handling, and using the right temperature settings.

Where to begin?

Implement the TARGET-MEASURE-ACT strategy and make use of the tools of the FLW toolbox

Concrete actions and targets

Actions: Set targets for your own organisation and monitor FLW volumes, discuss the causes of FLW, determine reduction strategies, allocate capacity, formulate a business case, discuss challenges with chain partners, and evaluate the results.
Targets: Connect your targets with the SDGs. Achieving targets is feasible when tackled jointly in the supply chain with support of a wider network of stakeholders.

Contact

Do you want to start with the Target-Measure-Act approach to monitor and reduce your Losses and Waste in the blueberry supply chain? Please do not hesitate to contact us.