Abstract

Measuring and monitoring the sub-indicator SDG 12.3.1.a Food Loss Index is complex and requires several data collection efforts to cover the various food groups and their stages along the food supply chain. Currently, in Mexico, there are no estimates for each of the food groups and their various supply chains that would allow for measuring this indicator. To overcome prevalent data gaps, the INEGI and FAO technical team has conducted a desk study to compile the SDG 12.3.1.a Food Loss Index, Mexico's compilation strategy integrates two types of data: national estimates and fixed factors. National estimates are drawn from the National Agricultural Survey (ENA) conducted biannually by INEGI, which currently captures on-farm (post-harvest) losses for selected crops. For off-farm supply chain stages and commodities lacking national measurements, fixed factors are used. These factors are derived from approximations from existing studies, pilot surveys, or synthetic estimations, and are intended to be progressively replaced by future national measurements. The pilot exercise focused on a basket of 11 food commodities selected based on food security criteria and ENA data availability. The methodology involved mapping supply chains, integrating available loss data into a database, constructing a loss percentage matrix, and finally aggregating the weighted losses. This first compilation yielded an approximate food loss percentage of 9.31 percent for the selected basket.