Tomato waste at rotten levels as up to 84 pc of crops left in field due to supermarket demands

Supermarket demands for unblemished fruit has led to a high level of waste in the tomato industry, researchers say.

A study from the University of the Sunshine Coast has found 70–84 per cent of undamaged, edible tomatoes are being left in the field because they do not meet retailers' expectations.

Environmental Science honours student Tara McKenzie said she wanted to understand where in the supply chain food waste was happening, and why.

"70 per cent of losses I found were in the field," she said.

Read more...http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-10-13/high-levels-tomato-waste-supermarket-demands/9044480