In 2021, Lesotho's annual estimated postharvest losses were 11,516 tonnes for maize, 1,612 tonnes for sorghum, 947 tonnes for wheat. The highest and lowest estimated postharvest loss percentages are 15.4% for maize and 11.5% for sorghum.
Within the value chain, for all crops the majority of loss is estimated to be happening at harvesting/field drying. Within Lesotho, the highest postharvest losses in tonnes occur for maize in Leribe, for sorghum in Maseru, for wheat in Mokhotlong. Regarding the nutritional losses, the estimated maize grain lost postharvest could have met the annual energy (kcal) dietary requirements of 46,209 people.
To view the list of studies used to estimate these losses, please see the References tab.
Top 3 crops with the highest production quantity in tonnes.
Maize | Sorghum | Wheat | |
---|---|---|---|
Production quantity in tonnes | 74,707 tonnes | 14,022 tonnes | 7,898 tonnes |
Loss % | 15.4% | 11.5% | 12.0% |
Losses in tonnes | 11,516 tonnes | 1,612 tonnes | 947 tonnes |
Financial value | – | – | – |
% of national agricultural GDP | – | – | – |
# of people whose annual energy (kcal) requirements could have been met by the lost crop | 46,209 people | 6,805 people | 3,626 people |
See full postharvest losses data tables with loss percentage › | losses in tonnes › | nutritional losses ›
See full value chain data table with estimated losses in percentage › | tonnes › | USD ›