Seychelles Participates in High-Level Ministerial Panel on Reducing Post-Harvest Losses and Enhancing Food Supply Chain Efficiency

Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye – 6 June 2026

Principal Minister Wallace Cosgrow, Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy, led the Seychelles delegation to the High-Level Ministerial Panel on Agriculture: Reducing Post-Harvest Losses – Enhancing Efficiency in the Food Supply Chain, held on 6 June 2026 in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye.
The forum, organized and financed by the Zero Waste Foundation, brought together ministers, policymakers, development partners, and international experts to address the growing challenge of food loss and waste and to explore practical solutions for building more efficient, resilient, and sustainable food systems.

The discussions took place at a critical time when global agriculture and food systems are facing increasing pressures from population growth, climate change, resource scarcity, and supply chain disruptions. While global food production continues to increase, the volume of food lost after harvest is also rising, resulting in significant inefficiencies throughout food supply chains.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), approximately 13 percent of food produced globally is lost between harvest and retail stages. Furthermore, data from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicate that an additional 19 percent is wasted at the retail, food service, and household levels. Combined, these figures suggest that nearly one-third of all food produced globally is never consumed.

Participants emphasized that reducing post-harvest losses represents one of the most effective opportunities to improve global food security, enhance resource efficiency, increase farmers’ incomes, and reduce environmental impacts without placing additional pressure on production systems.
The forum highlighted four key areas for intervention:

• • Infrastructure Development – Investments in storage facilities, cold-chain systems, transportation networks, and logistics infrastructure are essential for reducing losses throughout the supply chain.
  • Improved Operational Practices – Adoption of good agricultural practices, improved harvesting methods, proper drying techniques, and quality management systems can significantly reduce product losses.
  • Strengthening Market Linkages – Better alignment between production and market demand, coupled with efficient product distribution systems, helps minimize waste and maximize returns for producers.
  • Policy and Institutional Frameworks – Effective data systems, coordination mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, and incentive structures are necessary to support large-scale implementation of post-harvest loss reduction strategies

During his intervention, Principal Minister Cosgrow highlighted the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including Seychelles. He noted that many fruits and vegetables are produced seasonally, often resulting in temporary surpluses that exceed immediate market demand. In the absence of adequate storage, preservation, and processing facilities, a significant proportion of this production can be lost.

To address these challenges, Seychelles is actively promoting agro-processing and value addition as key strategies for reducing food losses, increasing food availability, and generating additional income for farmers. The development of processing industries can extend product shelf life, create new market opportunities, and stimulate entrepreneurship, particularly among young people and women.
The Principal Minister further stressed the importance of embracing circular economy principles within the agriculture and fisheries sectors. He noted that fish waste and processing by-products should no longer be regarded as waste materials but as valuable resources that can be transformed into fish meal, organic fertilizers, animal feed, bio-products, and other value-added products. Such initiatives can create new economic opportunities while simultaneously reducing environmental impacts and supporting sustainable development.

Principal Minister Cosgrow emphasized that the forum’s theme, “Post-Harvest Loss Reduction: A Strategic Perspective on Food Supply Chain Efficiency,” is highly relevant to Seychelles and other nations seeking to strengthen food security, enhance resilience, and build more sustainable food systems in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
Among the distinguished participants were Mr. Samed AĞIRBAŞ, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, and His Excellency İbrahim Yumaklı, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye.

Principal Minister Cosgrow was accompanied by Mr. Keven Nancy, Principal Secretary for Agriculture, and Mr. Michael Nalletamby, Principal Secretary for Industry and Enterprise.