NZJCHS Call for Papers: Special Issue on Reducing Postharvest Losses and Food Waste: Addressing Value Chain Challenges in the Asia–Pacific

Significant postharvest losses in fresh produce continue to undermine progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: ending hunger and improving nutrition by 2030. Despite growing awareness, current efforts remain insufficient to meet this target. Accelerating progress requires both technological innovation and the sharing of practical knowledge across global research and practitioner communities. This special issue is particularly keen to feature collaborative research initiatives, locally led projects, and impactful case studies from across the region to share gained insights, reduce redundancies, and avoid unnecessary duplication of work.

To address existing knowledge gaps, we invite submissions of original research articles, case studies, and reviews focused on mitigating postharvest losses, food waste, and value chain challenges in the Asia–Pacific region—with particular emphasis on South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Island nations. Submissions offering relevant insights from beyond the region are also welcomed, especially those presenting transferable knowledge applicable to diverse fresh produce systems.

This special issue will additionally be an excellent opportunity for members of the newly established Asia–Pacific Postharvest Network (APPN) to showcase their work and improvements. APPN is a growing community of researchers, practitioners, and policy advocates working to reduce food and postharvest losses across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. With a vision of strengthening food security through collaboration, APPN promotes grassroots awareness and supports the exchange of practical, locally relevant solutions. By connecting stakeholders across the region, the network plays a pivotal role in advancing knowledge and innovation to enhance the resilience and sustainability of horticultural value chains.

This special issue of New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science seeks to support collective efforts to strengthen the resilience, efficiency, and sustainability of horticultural value chains—locally, regionally, and globally.

Guest Editors

Dr Muhammad Sohail Mazhar (Agriculture Northern Territory Government, Australia) 

Dr Guinevere Ortiz (Plant and Food Research, NZ) 

Dr Fran Doerflinger (Plant and Food Research, Australia) 

Submission Information

Please send a preliminary title, an indicative author list, and a short descriptive paragraph outlining the scope of your proposed manuscript to the Managing Guest Editor, Dr Muhammad Sohail Mazhar, at muhammadsohail.mazhar@nt.gov.au by 30 June 2025. The guest editor team will consider your Expression of Interest.

Authors will be notified of the outcome and formally invited to submit full manuscripts by 31 July 2025. The final submission deadline is 31 December 2025, and the intention is to publish the special issue formally in mid-2026. Individual articles will be published online with a DOI before appearing in the compiled issue.

Acceptance for publication will depend on the outcome of a rigorous peer review process and authors meeting critical deadlines. Manuscripts should be prepared according to the Instructions for Authors of the New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science and submitted online via the journal’s submission system. Authors should select the relevant special issue title during the submission process.

Under the traditional subscription-based publishing model, there are no page charges or publication fees. Additionally, authors affiliated with many global institutions may be eligible to publish Open Access at no cost.