Assessing Postharvest Losses of Tropical Fruits at Different Handling Stages in the Supply Chain of Ethiopia

Abstract Agriculture forms the backbone of Ethiopia’s economy, supplying essential food products, raw materials for food industries, and commodities for export. Key export products include coffee, oilseeds, spices, fresh fruits and vegetables. Commonly produced perishable tropical fruits for both local consumption and export markets include tomato, papaya, avocado, banana, mango, and guava. Nonetheless, ensuring that these fruits meet the quality standards of different markets continues to be a significant challenge. This research assessed postharvest losses of tropical fruits along the market chain in northwestern Ethiopia. Data were collected from 180 producers and 80 traders on six tropical fruits: avocado (Persea americana), banana (Musa spp.), guava (Psidium guajava), mango (Mangifera indica), papaya (Carica papaya), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Purposive sampling was employed to select key production and trading areas, while respondents were chosen using random sampling. Postharvest losses, as estimated by farmers, ranged from 18% to 28%, with the greatest losses occurring during harvesting, followed by storage and transportation. Trader level postharvest losses ranged from 18% to 25%, with losses being higher during storage than during transportation and marketing. The fruits most affected were avocado, tomato, and mango, especially during the peak harvest periods. The primary causes of postharvest losses at the farm level included physical damage from harvesting tall varieties, sunburn, harvesting at immature stages, and the use of inappropriate containers. Storage losses were primarily attributed to mechanical damage, insect infestations, diseases, and physiological disorders. During transportation, the main contributors to losses were sunburn and damage incurred during loading and unloading. At the trader level, losses were primarily caused by mechanical damage, postharvest pests, physiological disorders, and inadequate handling during transportation and marketing. The findings highlight the critical influence of postharvest practices on fruit quality and underscore the need for improved technologies, infrastructure, and farmer education to reduce postharvest losses and maintain fruit quality throughout the supply chain.