Developing cold chain in agrifood sector in sub-Saharan Africa

The lack of reliable and adequate cold chain facilities in sub-Saharan Africa is one of the main causes of losses of perishable products, which are estimated to be about 25–30 percent for animal products and 40–50 percent for roots, tubers, fruits and vegetables (FAO, 2011). These losses result not only in a deterio ration of food security in all its dimensions, but also in loss of market opportunities, waste of the scarce resources (water, land and energy) devoted to producing the foodstuffs, and a significant ecological footprint. Reliable and efficient cold chains contribute not only to reducing these losses, but also to improving the techni cal and operational efficiency of the food supply chain. Cold chains thus facilitate compliance with quality and safety requirements and promote market growth, stimulating increases in production (IIR, 2009b). Devel opment of the cold chain can therefore be considered a necessary step towards achieving food and nutrition security. In spite of this need, however, cold chain development has not received the necessary attention from governments and development organizations and therefore remains underused in comparison with the actual and potential needs of sub-Saharan Africa.

Click here for the full report