COSTS OF THE COMMONLY USED
PACKAGING METHODS IN TOMATO SUPPLY
CHAIN IN SRI LANKA

Food loss and waste in the fresh produce supply chain account for 270,000 tonnes (Tn) or 30-40% annually-about LKR 20 billion (Bn) to the economy of Sri Lanka going down the drain. Of all fruits and vegetables, tomatoes stand out as a major contributor to these losses due to high perishability. A case study conducted in the Matale District by Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute (HARTI), in 2016, revealed that the postharvest losses of tomatoes amounted to around 40%. 

Following growing concerns for food security, numerous recommendations have been put forward to address this issue. A major focus has been on ways to minimise post-harvest losses by improving handling and distribution of commodities. Despite these efforts, stakeholders in the supply chain are reluctant to adopt the recommendations. 

A case in point is the introduction of plastic crates for transporting fruits and vegetables. This practice, introduced as a national policy by the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Cooperatives in 2011, received island-wide protests against it. Since then, the adoption remains patchy. Considering these challenges, it is imperative to explore the reasons for non-adoption. This policy brief considers the cost-effectiveness of packaging options within the tomato supply chain to draw insights into possible remedies.