South Africa's estimated postharvest losses in tonnes for maize ranged from 52,228 tonnes in 2004 to 1,802,139 tonnes in 2011. The estimated loss percentages fluctuated between 14.3% and 18.4%. The largest losses in USD were estimated to have occurred in 2011 with a value of over 468 million USD, equivalent to 4.9% of national agricultural GDP.
Within the value chain, the majority of the postharvest maize loss is estimated to be happening at Harvesting/field drying. In South Africa, on average the highest quantity of maize production occurs in Free State. Regarding nutritional losses, the number of people whose annual energy (kcal) dietary requirements could have been met with the estimated maize lost postharvest ranged from 202,766 people in 2004 to 6,996,517 people in 2011.
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 | 2,355,586 tonnes | 2,355,586 tonnes | 2,355,586 tonnes | 2,355,586 tonnes | 2,355,586 tonnes |
| Losses in tonnes | 350,215 tonnes | 350,215 tonnes | 350,215 tonnes | 350,215 tonnes | 350,215 tonnes |
| Loss % | 14.9% | 14.9% | 14.9% | 14.9% | 14.9% |
| Financial value | > 57 million USD | > 68 million USD | > 65 million USD | > 77 million USD | – |
| % of national agricultural GDP | 0.7% | 1.0% | – | – | – |
| # of people whose annual energy (kcal) requirements could have been met by the lost crop | 1,359,652 people | 1,359,652 people | 1,359,652 people | 1,359,652 people | 1,359,652 people |
See full postharvest losses data tables with loss percentage › | losses in tonnes › | losses in USD › | financial impact › | nutritional losses ›