Malawi's estimated postharvest losses in tonnes for rice ranged from 6,665 tonnes in 2005 to 20,711 tonnes in 2021. The estimated loss percentages fluctuated between 12.7% and 14.6%. The largest losses in USD were estimated to have occurred in 2009 with a value of over 24 million USD, equivalent to 1.3% of national agricultural GDP.
Within the value chain, the majority of the postharvest rice loss is estimated to be happening at Harvesting/field drying. In Malawi, on average the highest quantity of rice production occurs in Southern Region. Regarding nutritional losses, the number of people whose annual energy (kcal) dietary requirements could have been met with the estimated rice lost postharvest ranged from 27,785 people in 2005 to 86,344 people in 2021.
To view the list of studies used to estimate these losses, please see the References tab.
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production quantity in tonnes | 112,313 tonnes | 132,728 tonnes | 142,592 tonnes | 155,433 tonnes | 136,083 tonnes |
| Losses in tonnes | 14,969 tonnes | 17,744 tonnes | 19,009 tonnes | 20,711 tonnes | 18,155 tonnes |
| Loss % | 13.3% | 13.4% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 13.3% |
| Financial value | > 17 million USD | > 22 million USD | > 21 million USD | > 22 million USD | – |
| % of national agricultural GDP | 1.0% | 1.1% | – | – | – |
| # of people whose annual energy (kcal) requirements could have been met by the lost crop | 62,406 people | 73,975 people | 79,247 people | 86,344 people | 75,688 people |
See full postharvest losses data tables with loss percentage › | losses in tonnes › | losses in USD › | financial impact › | nutritional losses ›