In Table 4
(http://www.ias.unu.edu/proceedings/icibs/ic-mfa/manfred/paper.htlm), the
average losses recorded in Nov 98 and April 99 for an above average size
supermarket in Brazil, was 11.94 %, 6.97 % or an average of 8.76 %.

To Manfred and co-authors:
did you analyse the proportions according to :
- spoilage upon delivery of goods
- spoilage due to mishandling
- spoilage due to slow sales

I have no experience in the fruit and vegetable market but I believe spoilage
is also due to the need to maintain a constant supply by the supermarket
regardless of the demand. In the Apia fruit and vegetable market, the absence
of an item seems to be an acceptable event as some fruits are seasonal.

I again ask the question in the context of losses in supermarkets .......are
we cultivating a lifestyle where losses in supermarkets is something that is
unavoidable because they must always have a supply in excess !

regards
jacky