Reduced Waste

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Reduced Waste

Challenge: Feed more people and increase farmer incomes by reducing food waste.

A third of the food currently produced never reaches our plates, and in the markets in which many of our supply chains operate as much as 40% of food is lost during harvest, drying, storage, and transport. These are particularly sobering facts considering estimates are that we'll need 50% more food by 2030 to feed the world's growing population.

Our Initiatives Include:

Measuring and reducing crop loss in our directly managed farms, processing, and logistics operations, and in third-party supply chains, where possible.
Operating a ‘waste hierarchy’ in those operations so that the greatest amount of waste can be recovered and/or destroyed in an environmentally sound manner
Participating in major global initiatives intended to halve the amount of food loss by 2030 such as WBCSD Food Loss and Waste Programme; Champions 12.3; Sustainable Rice Platform

We report on the goals and targets in the Natural Capital section of our 2020 Annual Report.

An Outstanding Cuppa from Post-harvest Training

Rich biodiversity of the Bynekere Estate contributes to Robusta and Arabica coffees. Previously poor post-harvest techniques have resulted in an inconsistent and lower-quality coffee. However, through training from Olam’s specialty coffee team, that’s all changed.

Read more about the vast improvements, not just in the coffee but also in the premiums farmers can now enjoy as a result of the partnership with Olam.

Read the Full Story Here

Want to Know More?

Wageningen University – Food Loss Measurements in The Rice Supply Chain

Reducing losses in Olam’s rice value chain can positively affect different stakeholders in the value chain. Nevertheless, each actor is affected differently, be it smallholder producers, farm labourers, Olam Rice Nigeria, consumers or the environment.

Understanding Post-Harvest Loss of Rice in Nigeria and Palm Oil in Gabon

One third of food produced is never consumed: this represents 8% of global GHG and a quarter of the water used in agriculture, as well as crop-land the size of China.