Global research network analysis of fresh produce postharvest technology: Innovative trends for loss reduction

Globally, fruit and vegetables (fresh produce) are important for nutrition, health, food security, and economic growth. However, this type of produce is highly impacted by huge global postharvest losses ranging between 28 % and 55 % annually with low and middle-income countries (LMICs) being the most affected. Tremendous efforts have been made in terms of research and innovation to address the issue of fresh produce postharvest losses over time. Hence, this study aimed to understand the trends in fresh produce postharvest research focusing on innovations for loss reduction over the last three decades using bibliographic network analysis. This involved the retrieval of postharvest-related research documents on fruit and vegetables from the Web of Science database published between January 1990 and December 2020. The retrieved documents were used to generate maps using the VOS viewer software to visualise the key research areas and technology trends towards reducing fruit and vegetables postharvest losses as well as collaborations among countries. The study results showed an exponential increase in postharvest research on fresh produce over the past three decades with around 65 % of the work happening in the last decade (2010–2020). Research trends showed that postharvest loss reduction (PHLR) innovations focus has shifted from common chemical control to search for alternative control strategies. Most notable is the shift towards plant-based compounds, edible coatings, and biofilms for disease control and fresh produce shelf-life extension. Study results showed that China and USA are the major global players in fresh produce postharvest research, while South Africa and Egypt are the key players in Africa. Despite the milestones in fresh produce postharvest research, LMICs still experience high postharvest losses shifting the debate on access to information and the adoption of novel technologies. The study recommends the need to strengthen PHLR research investment and collaboration, particularly among LMICs to reduce the burden of food losses and waste and strengthen food security. This can be achieved by increasing adoption of the novel technologies by the industries.