For many developing countries across Africa, agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, providing livelihoods and job opportunities for a significant share of the population. Nowhere is this more true than in Sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of families depend on farming as their primary source of income and food security. Yet the sector faces a critical challenge: post-harvest losses. Post-harvest damage refers to the loss of both quantity and quality of agricultural produce after harvesting but before it reaches consumers. This includes spoilage due to improper storage, damage during transportation, infestation by pests and mold, and losses caused by lack of processing or limited market access. An estimated 40% of Africa’s agricultural production is lost after harvest—equivalent to 1.3 billion tonnes of food wasted while 870 million people worldwide go hungry. To put this in perspective, these losses amount to about $4 billion USD every year, enough to feed 48 million people. As the continent looks to expand output to meet growing demand, this issue has become even more urgent. By 2050, Africa’s population is expected to double, making it essential to not only grow more food but also to protect and preserve what is already being produced.

Impact on the Economy 

For smallholder farmers, post-harvest losses represent far more than just wasted crops—they result in significantly lower incomes, reduced profits, and fewer resources available to reinvest in their farms. This ongoing challenge traps many farming families in cycles of poverty, hindering their ability to boost productivity, adopt improved technologies, or expand into new markets. At the national level, widespread post-harvest damage weakens food systems by decreasing the supply of nutritious food, driving up market prices, and increasing dependence on food imports. These losses not only threaten food security but also limit export potential, reduce foreign exchange earnings, and add strain to economies that are striving to grow and build resilience in their agricultural sectors. Addressing post-harvest loss is therefore critical to improving livelihoods, stabilizing markets, and supporting sustainable economic development.

Figure 1.1 illustrates that in Sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of post-harvest losses occur during the production, handling, and storage stages of the value chain. These losses have an outsized impact on farmers’ incomes, creating a significant barrier to poverty reduction and food security, particularly in rural communities where poverty is most severe. Reducing these losses would not only boost the earnings of producers and other value chain participants but also lessen the pressure to convert additional land for cultivation, helping to reduce the negative environmental impacts of agriculture.6 

In East Africa, several innovative companies are tackling post-harvest losses and helping strengthen local economies. In Kenya, SokoFresh is providing solar-powered cold storage units that extend the shelf life of fresh produce, while Twiga Foods uses technology to connect farmers directly with urban retailers, reducing delays and spoilage. SunCulture offers solar-powered irrigation and cold storage solutions that help preserve harvests right after picking.

What Can Be Done to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses? 

Addressing post-harvest losses requires a coordinated effort from farmers, governments, businesses, and development partners. Investing in improved storage facilities, such as solar-powered cold rooms and hermetic bags, can significantly reduce spoilage and protect produce quality. Strengthening transportation infrastructure and adopting better handling practices help minimize damage along the supply chain. Empowering smallholder farmers with training on post-harvest management and providing access to affordable technologies enable them to preserve their crops and increase profitability. Additionally, fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors can drive innovation, scale solutions, and improve market access. By taking these steps, we can safeguard food supplies, boost farmer incomes, enhance food security, and promote sustainable economic growth across East Africa and beyond.