Food Loss and Waste in the Primary production in the Netherlands and its environmental impact and nutritional losses

Obtaining insights in food loss and waste in the primary sector poses considerable challenges. Individual farms do not maintain comprehensive records and the sector is scattered. This study presents FLW volumes and associated impacts of FLW occurring on farms in the Netherlands. Data was collected by sampling from farmers reporting to the Farm Accountancy Data Network. Per year 189 - 219 samples were included for 40 - 47 different products. The total FLW volume in the primary sector for plant-based crops in the Netherlands was calculated at 775 thousand tons, 515 thousand tons, 407 thousand tons and 459 thousand tons for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Potatoes represent the largest volume of FLW, followed by onions and winter carrots. This is directly linked with the high production volumes of these products, but also with the fluctuating percentages of FLW reported between the years. Variation in volumes and percentages during the years can be explained by weather conditions, diseases, market access or other factors causing FLW, such as shocks (e.g. COVID-19 pandemic). For FLW associated greenhouse gas emission, tomatoes grown in tunnels or greenhouses rank highest in total impact. For FLW associated water- and land use footprint, potatoes and onions rank highest, in line with those ranked highest by FLW volume. In terms of FLW associated protein loss and other minor nutrients (except for sodium (winter carrot) and calcium (onion)), potato, is a dominant contributor, which is explained by the high production volume and resulting high FLW volume.