Post-harvest losses in marketed fruits and vegetables: evidence from selected markets in Dar es Salaam

A large portion of food loss, especially in Africa, occurs at production or during storage and handling stages (Ridolfi, Hoffmann, & and Baral, 2018). Distribution and marketing processes contribute a further 13% of overall food loss and waste (ibid). Post-harvest fruits and vegetable losses experienced during distribution and marketing is still an area which is […]

A large portion of food loss, especially in Africa, occurs at production or during storage and handling stages (Ridolfi, Hoffmann, & and Baral, 2018). Distribution and marketing processes contribute a further 13% of overall food loss and waste (ibid). Post-harvest fruits and vegetable losses experienced during distribution and marketing is still an area which is under researched. This brief aims to contribute to this growing body of literature by examining the extent of and main reasons for fruits and vegetable losses experienced by Dar es Salaam traders.

The data presented herein is part of a survey carried out by REPOA in November 2021 covering nine permanent markets in Ilala, Temeke, Kinondoni, and Ubungo municipalities. The survey involved a sample of 532 respondents comprising of wholesalers, retailers, and middlemen trading in fruits and vegetables. The sample was obtained through a stratified multi-stage sampling method incorporating purposive and convenient techniques.

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