A physical constraint can become a financial one
Losses between harvest and retail reduce the quantity or quality available for sale. FAO’s 2023 measure varies significantly across regions. It motivates investigation of infrastructure, without identifying the cause or solution for every project.
A warehouse, dryer or cold store can support a commercial need when the commodity, customer, utilisation and total cost are understood. Infrastructure finance should be based on that operating case.
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH · 2023 · FAO SDG indicator 12.3.1
Food lost before retail
Post-harvest food supply chains, excluding retail and consumption.
| Measure | % · weighted food-loss measure |
|---|---|
| World | 13.3 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 23 |
| Northern America / Europe | 10 |
| Eastern / Southeastern Asia | 13.9 |
World and indicated regions. A commodity-weighted modelled estimate. Regional and global values overlap; these are comparisons, not shares of one total. Food waste has a different scope and denominator.
FAO · Global food lossesStorage depends on the commodity
Grain can require drying, moisture testing, ventilation and pest control. Fresh produce can require temperature control, careful handling and fast distribution. Fish and other animal products have their own quality and food-safety requirements.
The credit file needs the relevant technology, operator competence and maintenance plan. Equipment uptime, quality rejection and energy demand affect repayment capacity alongside sales volume.
Assess the operating economics
Long-lived infrastructure creates fixed costs that remain even when throughput is low. The relationship between capacity, utilisation, tariffs and operating costs should be visible.
| Question | What to examine |
|---|---|
| Who uses the asset? | Growers, cooperatives, processors or traders with evidenced demand |
| How is it paid? | Storage, handling, processing or service charges and payment timing |
| What keeps it running? | Power, fuel, maintenance, staffing and spare parts |
| What protects the goods? | Quality standards, custody, inspection, insurance and stock records |
| What if volume falls? | Low-utilisation cash flow and the effect of a missed season |
Efficiency can carry a new resource burden
A cold chain can reduce deterioration while using more electricity and refrigerants. Irrigation can improve reliability while increasing abstraction. A review should assess the complete system and its local conditions.
Environmental measurement belongs beside operating measurement. Energy per tonne, total energy, water source, measured losses and the production boundary help explain the tradeoff. A modern asset should not be assigned an automatic sustainability score.
Finance beyond the farm gate
Processors, logistics operators and storage businesses can be important partners in an agricultural banking relationship. Their working capital and infrastructure needs connect to the producers they serve.
WAB’s service design includes these value-chain businesses. Each facility will require its own underwriting, security, approved product and operating jurisdiction. Association relationships can support origination while the bank retains the responsibility for credit decisions.
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Publications and reference material
WAB development presentations · January 2025 and May 2026