South Africa's estimated postharvest losses in tonnes for wheat ranged from 66 tonnes in 2003 to 185,272 tonnes in 2012. The estimated loss percentages fluctuated between 4.3% and 16.3%. The largest losses in USD were estimated to have occurred in 2012 with a value of over 70 million USD, equivalent to 0.8% of national agricultural GDP.
Within the value chain, the majority of the postharvest wheat loss is estimated to be happening at Household-level storage. In South Africa, on average the highest quantity of wheat production occurs in Western Cape. Regarding nutritional losses, the number of people whose annual energy (kcal) dietary requirements could have been met with the estimated wheat lost postharvest ranged from 244 people in 2003 to 686,123 people in 2012.
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 | 267,392 tonnes | 267,392 tonnes | 267,392 tonnes | 267,392 tonnes | 267,392 tonnes |
| Losses in tonnes | 11,404 tonnes | 11,404 tonnes | 11,404 tonnes | 11,404 tonnes | 11,404 tonnes |
| Loss % | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
| Financial value | > 3 million USD | > 3 million USD | > 3 million USD | > 4 million USD | – |
| % of national agricultural GDP | 0.0% | 0.1% | – | – | – |
| # of people whose annual energy (kcal) requirements could have been met by the lost crop | 42,232 people | 42,232 people | 42,232 people | 42,232 people | 42,232 people |
See full postharvest losses data tables with loss percentage › | losses in tonnes › | losses in USD › | financial impact › | nutritional losses ›