Economic Value and Determinants of Postharvest Losses of Tomato at the Retail Level: A Case Study in Kandy District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study quantifies, assesses economic value, and evaluates determinants of losses of tomatoes at the retailer level. Data collected from randomly selected 122 retailers in the Kandy district of Sri Lanka was used for the analysis. On a typical day, a retailer purchases 24 kg of tomatoes at LKR 302 per kg and handles 30 kg. Daily losses account for 4 kg which accounts for 13% of the total volume handled and an economic loss of LKR 75 per kg. Female and educated retailers, as well as those adopting good practices such as discarding damaged tomatoes and using better packaging, experience lower losses and adoption of which is influenced by socioeconomic characteristics and business circumstances. Additionally, lower economic losses were observed among less experienced retailers handling smaller volumes in smaller stores with strong upstream connections. Incentivizing good handling practices among retailers with high losses is recommended.