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What are non-standard vegetables?

Non-standard vegetables are vegetables that do not enter normal distribution because their appearance—shape or size—does not meet market standards. There is no problem with their taste or nutritional value, and many have been discarded during the production process; but they are now drawing attention from the perspectives of food loss reduction and sustainability.

For farmers there is the loss of produce that cannot be shipped, and for consumers there is the issue of food loss based on appearance—and putting them to use has become a social theme.

Features and background of non-standard vegetables

Causes: bending, blemishes, uneven color, out-of-standard size, and the like

Nutritional value: almost the same as regular vegetables, with no quality problems

Background: arise from distribution standards and a market culture that “emphasizes appearance”

Trend: use is spreading amid rising awareness of sustainability and the SDGs

Where they are used: processed foods, dried vegetables, school lunches, commercial ingredients, exports, and more

Examples of Agriture’s use of non-standard vegetables

Drying and processing non-standard vegetables to develop them as OEM raw materials and powder products

Developing sustainable novelties that appeal to food loss reduction

non-standard carrots and green onions, proposing gift products and commercial ingredients using them

Cooperating with farmers and local governments to advance upcycling businesses that make use of local resources

Related keywords

Food loss

Upcycling

Sustainable

Agricultural product standards

SDGs

Related articles

The relationship between non-standard vegetables and food loss | Solutions and case studies

Saving discarded vegetables! A new approach to food loss reduction

[For restaurants!] Use dried vegetables to reduce food loss and improve operational efficiency at your establishment

FOR BUSINESS

乾燥野菜を業務用でお探しですか

国産の野菜・果物を乾燥し、必要に応じて粉砕してお出ししています。扱っている品目は100種前後で、規格は 乾燥品の一覧・パウダーの一覧 に掲載しています。

少量でのご購入は、姉妹ブランドの通販サイト OYAOYA で承っています。

FAQ

Q1. Are non-standard vegetables safe to eat?
A. Yes. There are only differences in shape and size; there is no problem with nutrition or safety.

Q2. What is the market size of non-standard vegetables?
A. In Japan, they are estimated to arise on the scale of several million tons per year, making them a major key to food loss reduction.

Q3. How does Agriture use non-standard vegetables?
A. We enhance their added value through drying and powder processing, recirculating them as OEM products, commercial raw materials, and gift products.

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Author of this article

小島 怜's avatar Rei Kojima Agriture CEO

CEO of Agriture Inc. Runs a contract processing and OEM business centered on dried vegetables and dried fruit. In partnership with farmers within Kyoto Prefecture, he pursues “sustainable food distribution” through the use of non-standard vegetables and support for sixth-industrialization. Drawing on extensive hands-on experience at manufacturing sites, he provides support that walks alongside every business considering OEM—from product planning and prototyping to small-lot handling, packaging design, and sales-channel development.

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