Abstract
Studying postharvest activities, particularly prevention of losses within a marketing context, will provide needed information and guiding principles for loss-reducing activities, as well as a potential to increase the benefits of reduced losses, higher quality and higher prices, which would exceed the cost of the proposed corrective measures. Losses from producer to the consumer may be as high as 50%. Postharvest losses, which decrease returns of farmers for fruits and vegetables, occur mainly because of the lack of infrastructure and/or poor handling and marketing know-how. The objectives of this regional survey were to study the main reasons for postharvest losses based on postharvest practices in each country, farmers' experience in farming and their educational background. Sorting and grading tomatoes or grapes immediately after harvest significantly improved the overall quality of these fresh products. The existence of an on-farm packinghouse sustained better fruit quality. Farmers with more experience in pre- and postharvest practices and higher education obtained better quality produce. Training and know-how are a most essential step to reduce postharvest losses and improve fresh product quality.
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