Economic Analysis of Post-Harvest Losses of the Tamarind Industry in Arayat, Pampanga

This study aimed to measure the post-harvest losses of key players in the tamarind industry’s supply chain in Arayat, Pampanga. A total of 329 respondents, including growers, traders, and wholesalers/retailers, were successfully interviewed. The findings revealed that post-harvest losses significantly contributed to the overall loss of tamarind fruits (44.36%), primarily during the handling and transportation stages (12.98%). Based on the study, key areas that should be addressed include enhancing productivity and training programs, providing financial support and market access, promoting economies of scale and quality standards, investing in infrastructure and capacity building for handling and transportation and implementing gender-sensitive interventions to mitigate post-harvest losses.