It is natural that the loss rate of rice after harvesting declines gradually as the technology of post-harvest management advances. But the statistics on rice loss in Korea shows different results, making it difficult to fully trust the statistics on rice loss. Under such a background, this study aims to find ways of producing more reliable statistics on rice loss.
If there is a gap between the survey data and the actual amount of rice in regard to amount of rice produced, consumed, and stored, the amount of rice loss will be affected accordingly. For example, if rice production estimates are overestimated, the amount of rice lost will also increase.
According to the results of this research, the possible amount of rice that is lost during the process from harvesting to distribution is 7~8%. It is estimated that 4.1% of rice produced is lost during the harvesting stage and due to statistical error, and the actual loss in the process of harvesting in the fields could be a little more than the estimate. In the storage and polishing stages of rice, it is estimated that 2.09% of rice is lost due to evaporation. Also, 0.5% of rice is lost due to evaporation in the distribution stage. In conclusion, the lowest rate of rice loss from harvesting to distribution is 6.69%. If the damage from diseases and insects is taken into account, it is estimated that the actual rate of rice loss is likely to be around 7~8% of rice produced.
In order to estimate the rate of rice loss more accurately, it is essential that thorough investigation is performed for at least three years on each stages of the rice production process from harvesting to distribution.

Researchers: Dong-Gyu Park, Woong-Yeon Lee
Research period: 2010. 10. - 2011. 2.
E-mail address: dgpark@krei.re.kr