Food value chain interdependencies - A case study on vegetable waste

In Switzerland, 2.8 million tons of food are wasted annually, generating significant environmental, economic, and social impacts. Vegetable waste (VW) poses a priority area due to its high occurrence and cumulated environmental footprint. The cross-industry agreement within the Swiss National Action Plan for Food Waste Reduction motivates value chain actors (VCAs) to collaborate for efficient reduction approaches. To implement effective, multi-stakeholder solution approaches it is imperative to understand value chain interdependencies and VCA rationales.

In this report, we identify VW hotspots related to value chain interdependencies within the Swiss vegetable system. Further, we analyze the VCA rationales that contribute to the VW hotspots. Lastly, we propose multi-stakeholder solution approaches. Throughout this report, we present insights from interviews with various stakeholders and experts across the vegetable value chain.

The report is divided in three chapters:

1. VW hotspots: We present priority areas of VW generation, which origin from value chain interdependencies related to trade standards and particularly bilateral trade agreements. These are so-called VW hotspots.

2. VCA rationales: We summarize the driving factors of each VCA related to their behavior that contribute to the VW hotspots, directly and indirectly. These are referred to as VCA rationales.

3. Solution approaches: We propose concrete solutions that engage multiple stakeholders from policy, research, industry, and society to collaboratively address the identified VW hotspots, taking into account  VCA rationales.

The findings of this report result from a combination of literature review, market analysis, 15 stakeholder interviews, and an innovation workshop with 25 participants across the entire value chain. The conclusions are based on the value chain interdependencies analyzed in the Swiss context for vegetables, and generalizations must be made with caution.

It is important to recognize that opinions expressed in this report are subject to change based on evolving circumstances, new insights, and differing viewpoints. Further, if no specific references are provided, the information originates from a combination of multiple sources. Readers are encouraged to exercise critical thinking when assessing the complexities of vegetable waste within value chains.

DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT: