Kenya Loses Millions to Food Waste Despite Food Insecurity

By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU

A new report by WRI Africa reveals that Kenya is losing an estimated KES 72 billion ($578 million) annually due to food loss and waste (FLW), exacerbating food insecurity affecting over 15 million Kenyans. The study, which focuses on maize, potatoes, fresh fruits (mangoes, bananas, and avocados), and fish value chains, highlights critical points of loss and provides actionable recommendations for both public and private sector actors.

Key Findings

• Significant Economic Impact: The annual economic loss of $578 million contributes to methane emissions from waste decomposition in landfills.
• Variability in Estimates: FLW estimates vary across different food items:
  • Maize: 20-36%
  • Potatoes: 19-22%
  • Mangoes: 17-56%
  • Avocados: 15-35%
  • Bananas: 7-11%
• Fruits at High Risk: Losses are significantly higher for fruits destined for domestic markets compared to export markets (e.g., 35% vs. 15% for avocados).
• High Fish Losses: Losses in fish at Lake Turkana are estimated at 34%.

Critical Loss Points and Causes

The report identifies key areas where food is lost or wasted across different stages of the value chains:

• Maize: Storage losses account for at least 70% of total losses due to insects, rodents, weevils, and molds.
• Potatoes: Harvesting and transportation to the market are critical loss points.
• Fruits: Retail and wholesale stages are the most critical for losses in mangoes and bananas.
• Fish: Harvesting and post-harvest handling lead to significant losses due to a lack of chilling facilities.

The report urges agribusinesses, governments, research institutions, and other stakeholders to adopt the “Target-Measure-Act” approach to reduce FLW by half by 2030. Key recommendations include:

1. Contextualized Measurement Protocols: Developing national protocols for measuring FLW to enable stakeholders to set targets.
2. Institutional Coordination: Establishing institutional arrangements for coordinating FLW reduction interventions.
3. Policy Integration: Integrating FLW reduction into food security and climate change policies.
4. Incentive Programs: Creating state or local grant and incentive programs to encourage FLW reduction activities.

Policy Implications

Kenya, a signatory to the 2014 Malabo Declaration and committed to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, aims to reduce post-harvest losses by 50% by 2025 and halve per capita global food waste by 2030. The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive framework for measuring and driving FLW reduction to meet these targets.

“Reducing food loss and waste presents a triple-win opportunity: feeding more people without increasing production, enhancing livelihoods by strengthening value chains, and reducing environmental impacts,” stated Wanjira Mathai, Managing Director of WRI Africa & Global Partnerships.

By addressing the identified gaps and implementing targeted strategies, Kenya can enhance food security, improve economic outcomes for farmers, and promote environmental sustainability.