This study has the purpose of researching main factors of the agricultural products loss and waste. In the study, agricultural products loss refers to any type of quantity loss including weight reduction not accompanied by disposal. Waste refers to partial or entire disposal of agricultural products with intention in order to handle rotten or deteriorated produce and adjust produce volume. In this study, four commodities such as chinese cabbage, radish, onion, and watermelon from the vegetable category were included as research objects. Interviews or questionnaire??based surveys were conducted against stakeholder for each step of agricultural products processing from production to consumption.
This study shows that supply control and the partial or entire disposal of low quality products are the main factors of agricultural products loss in the production stage. In the wholesale stage, quality testing is one of the main factors. Handling deteriorated products is a common factor in both wholesale stage and retail stage. However, the amount of agricultural products loss is relatively small due to a high product turnover ratio in these stages. In the consumption stage, handling low quality products and the remains of a meal, over-removal of products during processing or cooking is major factors of agricultural products loss.