Estimating the potential for nutrition and energy production derived from maize (Zea mays L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) losses in Brazil

Abstract

Although mankind still faces serious problems related to hunger and food insecurity, the world's nations present high levels of food loss and waste (FLW), thereby wasting important natural resources, as well as nutritional and energetic potential losses. Brazil, a prominent food producer, has high levels of food losses and, consequently, loss/waste of natural resources. This study estimated the loss of energetic and nutritional potentials, as well as the economic loss, associated with rice (Oryza sativa L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) losses in Brazil, analyzing available data of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) regarding food supply, food losses, and gross production value of rice and maize in Brazil from 2014 to 2018. The analysis revealed that the average annual loss of maize and rice in Brazil is approximately 8.3 million tons and 1.2 million tons respectively, enough to feed about 37 million people per year, or to produce 3.67 billion liters of bioethanol. Also, the average annual gross economic loss associated with maize and rice losses in Brazil is estimated at US$ 1.7 billion. This study reinforces the need for better public and private initiatives in Brazil to reduce the high levels of grain loss, recommending increasing investments in logistics infrastructure and grain transportation modalities, the adoption of more appropriate transport and storage practices, use of stricter regulatory measures, and systematic monitoring of the efficiency of Brazilian food systems.